In honor of the 31 youths who tragically lost their lives in a stampede during an army recruitment operation in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo has solemnly declared a national day of mourning. This observance, announced by Congolese authorities, commenced on Wednesday, marking a heartfelt tribute to the lives cut short by the devastating incident.
Throughout the capital, flags fly at half-mast in front of public offices, with schools and various entertainment venues joining in the remembrance. Despite this solemn occasion, normal road traffic persisted within the city.
Government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla confirmed on Tuesday evening that the stampede on Monday night at the Michel d’Ornano stadium resulted in 31 fatalities and left 145 others injured. Reports from security personnel revealed the overwhelming presence of thousands of young candidates vying for recruitment into the Congolese army. Some resorted to forcing entry through gates, while others attempted to scale walls, leading to the tragic stampede.
Mr. Moungalla underlined the enthusiastic response of the youth to serve their country, emphasizing that the recruitment drive had seen significant participation since its commencement on November 14.
In response to this heartbreaking event, the government initiated a national day of mourning, announcing the closure of bars, dance clubs, and other festive venues. Additionally, both a judicial investigation by the public prosecutor and a joint administrative investigation in犀利士 volving the police and Congolese armed forces have been launched to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
While expressions of grief permeated the nation, several Congolese human rights organizations and opposition political figures raised concerns about the government’s accountability in the incident. “Standing for Congo” (DPC) urged the implementation of measures to tackle mass youth unemployment, calling upon the government to prioritize a plan addressing this critical issue.
The Republic of Congo, a relatively small country in Central Africa with a population of 5.7 million, faces significant youth unemployment, as highlighted by the World Bank’s 2022 report, with approximately 47% of the population under 18. Within this oil-rich nation led by Denis Sassou Nguesso, who has been in office for 39 years at the age of 79, reports indicate a staggering 42% youth unemployment rate, a concerning figure highlighted by DPC, citing World Bank statistics.
