Congolese artist uses paintings to denounce war and violence

Congolese artist Moyengo Kadima is using his paintings to denounce decades of war and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's conflict-hit east, where millions of people have been affected by prolonged insecurity.

Through his artwork, Kadima says he hopes to promote unity and justice while giving a voice to victims of the region's conflicts.

Most of the paintings on display depict the suffering endured by people in eastern DR Congo for more than three decades.

Kadima grew up in Goma, a city now under the control of M23 rebels.

Having witnessed the devastating effects of conflict firsthand, he turned to art as a way to condemn violence, raise awareness and call for peace.

"We have an important role to play in raising awareness among our people through our art.

Our art is not just for entertainment; it is also a tool for informing people about the aggression we face.

People outside our country don't see us as separate tribes; they see us as one nation.

If we remain divided, our enemies will exploit those divisions to destroy us," Kadima said.

The exhibition in Kinshasa attracted visitors of different ages, many of whom said the paintings offered a powerful portrayal of the human cost of conflict.

"For me, this event is really encouraging.

You don't need words to understand what's happening; the pictures speak for themselves.

When you look at them, you see children who have been hurt, families that have been affected and lives that have been shattered," said Noely Mbuwa, a law student in Kinshasa.

The exhibition was held at the Genocost Memorial grounds in Kinshasa.