The fight against hate messages and manipulation: a priority in the DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a major challenge: that of combating the messages of hatred and manipulation that are rampant in the country. Aware of this problem, the Office for Studies and Support for International Relations in the DRC (BEARIC) recently launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness among the population and putting an end to this spread of destructive discourse.
In a context marked by the elections which will take place on December 20, 2023, BEARIC has noted numerous slippages within the camps of the different candidates. Intolerance between political actors is constantly increasing, with remarks marked by tribalism, racism and xenophobia. This alarming situation has pushed BEARIC to alert the international community and call for national awareness of the dangers of these hate messages.
The campaign launched by BEARIC aims to educate political actors and the population in general, inviting them to avoid the use of hate speech before, during and after the electoral process. It is crucial to restore a climate of respect and tolerance to guarantee transparent and peaceful elections.
This initiative highlights the importance of individual and collective responsibility in the fight against the spread of messages of hatred and manipulation. Political actors must see themselves as political adversaries, rather than enemies, and prioritize dialogue and mutual respect.
BEARIC also calls on the international community, in particular the International Criminal Court (ICC), to exercise particular vigilance and to comment on the abuses observed in the DRC. It is necessary for international authorities to support this fight against hate speech and actively commit to respecting human rights and democracy.
It is time for the DRC to pull itself together and reject all forms of manipulation and hate speech. The stability of the country depends on it, as does the democratic future of the nation. The BEARIC campaign is a first step in the right direction, but much remains to be done to bring about a real change in mentality and promote values of respect, tolerance and unity in the DRC.