As the Democratic Republic of Congo returns to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time since 2012, the tournament has taken on far more than just sporting significance. Amid a surge in violence and the ongoing M23 rebel offensive in the eastern provinces, particularly in North Kivu and Goma, the DR Congo women’s national football team nicknamed the Leopardesses has become symbols of resilience and hope for millions suffering through conflict.
Since January 2024, the M23 rebels have captured vast territories rich in rare earth minerals, displacing hundreds of thousands and triggering a humanitarian crisis. Although the United Nations has reported thousands of civilian deaths, the M23 disputes those figures. Evidence points to Rwandan backing of the M23, though Kigali denies any involvement. A US-brokered peace deal signed in late June between DR Congo and Rwanda has sparked cautious optimism, calling for disarmament and the conditional integration of armed groups. However, negotiations with M23 continue, and the region remains unstable.
Against this bleak backdrop, DR Congo’s participation in WAFCON 2024 has given the population a rare chance to rally around a source of pride. Midfielder Marlene Yav Kasaj, who plays for top Congolese club TP Mazembe, shared how the ongoing conflict has impacted her personally: “I lost a friend there; she was a war victim. When I’m on the pitch, I feel compelled to win, even if it’s just to bring a small moment of happiness to our people.”
For residents of Goma a city that fell under rebel control earlier this year the emotional toll has been immense. “The traumatic events we witnessed in January, with bodies lying in the streets and the stench of decomposing corpses, left us disturbed,” said one resident, speaking anonymously. Still, they described watching their national team as a chance to “marvel and momentarily escape the trauma.”
Supporters like Joseph, who attended DR Congo’s group-stage match against Senegal in Morocco, echoed that sentiment: “Football is a kind of hope for the people that live in this part of the country.”
Despite the ongoing conflict, the Leopardesses have provided their compatriots with a much-needed morale boost. Their return to the continental stage not only reignites national pride but also reminds the world of the human cost of the DR Congo crisis and the power of sport to uplift even in the darkest times.
As WAFCON 2024 continues, the Leopardesses are not just playing for a title they are playing for peace, unity, and a future free from fear for millions of Congolese citizens.
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