In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, recent presidential and legislative elections were marked by hate speech that threatens social cohesion. Candidates used strategies based on division and stigmatization to discredit their opponents, to the detriment of living together.
One of these controversial speeches was that of President Félix Tshisekedi, who attacked his opponents by calling them “candidates from abroad”. By inciting crowds to distrust certain candidates, the head of state helped fuel already existing ethnic and political tensions in the region.
Likewise, the accusation of some candidates of being “political commissars” was also used to discredit their candidacies. Segregationist comments were made, reinforcing divisions between different communities and endangering national unity.
Finally, the idea of “invading candidates” has added a new dimension to hate speech. The demand for primacy of local candidates over non-native candidates has created tensions and divisions within the population, thus threatening the stability of the country.
It is essential to recognize that this hate speech does nothing to build a united and prosperous nation. On the contrary, they fuel divisions and weaken the Congolese social fabric. It is imperative that political leaders put an end to this toxic rhetoric and commit to promoting peace, unity and collaboration among all communities.
In conclusion, it is crucial for the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo that political discourses are based on values of unity, mutual respect and tolerance. Only a society where harmony and solidarity reign can truly progress and prosper.