**An act of civic solidarity at the heart of the conflict: the unexpected support of the inhabitants of Butembo for the FARDC**
On January 16, a surprising initiative was born in Butembo, in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Synergy of Citizen Movements, accompanied by pressure groups and youth organizations, donated food and non-food items to the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), in support of their operations against the M23 rebels in the Lubero territory. An action that calls out beyond the boundaries of simple humanitarian aid, revealing often overlooked facets of the link between civil society and the army in conflict contexts.
### An unprecedented dynamic of support
The donation, representing nearly two tons of provisions, including rice, corn flour, biscuits, bottles of water and even a cow, is not only an act of generosity, but also constitutes a strong symbolic gesture. This type of initiative reminds us that, in times of crisis, citizens can play a crucial role in supporting the armed forces. Indeed, beyond material contributions, these acts strengthen the morale of the troops by demonstrating recognition of their commitment.
Colonel Alain Kiwewa, administrator of the Lubero territory, stressed the importance of this solidarity, which he considers an essential vector of union between the population and its defense forces. Far from being limited to logistical aid, this act evokes popular patriotism in the face of external aggression, often perceived as omnipresent in current discourses.
### Unexplored solidarity in the zebra-striped context of the DRC
It is worth questioning the dynamics of solidarity in times of conflict. In the DRC, relations between the civilian population and the army have often been tumultuous. Decades of war and violence have had repercussions on the perception of the army, led to a climate of mistrust and accusations of human rights violations. However, such citizen initiatives reveal a potentially positive development.
The country’s recent history shows that movements in support of the army are sometimes signs of political and social transformations. During previous conflicts, anonymous donors from civil society also offered goods to the military, but these events had not always been documented.
### Statistics and socio-political issues
The population of Butembo, engaged in this dynamic, illustrates a broader trend across the country. In 2022, a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) revealed that nearly 47% of Congolese said they were ready to support their armed forces if it could help restore peace.. Donations to the FARDC can be seen as a reflection of a collective understanding of national security issues, but also as a desire to support the development of local solutions to external interference, particularly from Rwanda.
In a region where persistent armed violence fuels the cycle of poverty and instability, this symbolic support threatening to become a popular movement could also transform the structure of trust between the army and civilians. The creation of a closer link could sound the death knell for the negative perceptions that had often colored relations between the two parties.
### Conclusion: a model of cooperation to be supervised
Thus, this action by Butembo could serve as a model for other regions affected by conflict, demonstrating civilian resilience in the face of crises. The challenge now lies in the capacity of the military authorities to transform this dynamic of support into structured cooperation. Citizen solidarity initiatives must be encouraged and integrated into a broader strategy to strengthen the relationship between the army and the population, in order to build together a common fortress against the threats of destabilization.
As Congo faces an uncertain future, the symbolism of this generous initiative could well be the embryo of a new era of positive patriotism in a nation often marked by division. The road to lasting peace passes through gestures of mutual support, and in Butembo, it would seem that the first steps have already been taken.