The news in Goma, in the province of North Kivu, was marked by a nightmarish morning. A group claiming to be followers of the mystical-religious sect “Wazalendo” stormed the streets of the city to demonstrate, despite the Mayor’s ban. Their demand: the departure of MONUSCO, the EAC Regional Force and all Westerners with their NGOs. Faced with this disturbance of public order, the police intervened, unfortunately causing loss of life.
What happened in Goma is not an isolated event, but rather an attempt at destabilization orchestrated by certain actors seeking to create unrest in the country. The ultimate goal of these architects of chaos is to disrupt the ongoing electoral process and push those in power to enter into a dialogue with a view to a political transition. Various scenarios have been tried in the past, such as the exploitation of militias or the creation of noisy citizen movements.
Despite the repeated failures of these attempts, the instigators do not seem to be discouraged and persist in their actions. The exploitation of civil society organizations is a well-known practice, but it is important to denounce it and stop it as soon as it is identified.
It is crucial to remain vigilant in the face of these attempts at destabilization and to protect Congolese democracy by maintaining focus on the ongoing electoral process. The Congolese deserve to be able to exercise their right to vote and to choose their legitimate leaders, far from political manipulation and conflicts orchestrated by a few malicious individuals.
It is essential to continue to promote peace, stability and respect for institutions in the DRC. The Congolese population aspires to live in a country where security reigns and democratic processes are respected. Let us all be vigilant and united to defend these fundamental values.