Congolese Genocide Memorial Day, observed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on August 2, honors the memory of those who lost their lives during the country's numerous conflicts. This date marks the beginning of the Second Congo War in 1998, which resulted in over 5.4 million civilian deaths, primarily from malnutrition and disease. The commemoration was initiated by Genocost, part of the Congolese Action Youth Platform (CAYP), aimed at highlighting the economic motivations behind the genocide rather than attributing it solely to tribal and ethnic conflicts. The day was officially recognized by the government in 2022, with the first nationwide observance taking place in 2023, presided over by President Félix Tshisekedi. The memorial serves to remember the atrocities committed during both the colonial period and subsequent conflicts, including the Congo Crisis and the two Congo Wars.