The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently going through a period of political tension, ahead of the general elections scheduled for December 2023. The electoral process, considered chaotic by part of the Congolese opposition, is sparking demonstrations and reactions both nationally and internationally.
An opposition coalition, made up of Ensemble pour la République by Moïse Katumbi, ECiDé by Martin Fayulu, LGD by Matata Ponyo and Envol by Delly Sesanga, organized a first demonstration on May 20, which was repressed by the forces of order. Videos showing the disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, including a minor, sparked outrage on social media.
On his Twitter account, the former coordinator of the National Monitoring Mechanism of the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement, newly appointed roving ambassador of President Félix Tshisekedi, reflected on the possibility of restricting access to social networks on behalf of national security. This approach, although it is already applied in other countries, is far from unanimous, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The country had already experienced restrictions on internet access under former President Joseph Kabila, who had ordered the shutdown of internet access and text messages on several occasions, notably after the general elections of December 2018.
The consequences of such Internet access restrictions are immense, because the Internet and social networks are a means for Congolese citizens to communicate, inform and express themselves. The Congolese authorities must therefore seek ways to guarantee national security without undermining freedom of expression and human rights.
Developing a solid infrastructure to ensure reliable and secure internet access for all Congolese, rather than restricting it, could be a step in the right direction. Indeed, access to quality information can help strengthen transparency and accountability within government and Congolese society as a whole.
The Congolese authorities must therefore imperatively work to guarantee national security without restricting access to the Internet and social networks, as this could be perceived as an attack on the fundamental freedoms of citizens.