**Kinshasa: LAMUKA’s march, a cry of despair in the midst of a political and security crisis**
On Saturday, January 24, on Lumumba Boulevard in Kinshasa, the LAMUKA coalition, bringing together political parties such as Ecidé and Addcongo, led an emblematic march denouncing the excesses of a power deemed repressive. This gathering was not simply a protest against arbitrary arrests; it highlighted a political crisis exacerbated by national security issues and growing popular discontent.
### **A stormy context**
The arrest of political schools and the intimidation suffered by LAMUKA members are part of a broader picture of socio-political tensions. Indeed, the political reforms promised by President Félix Tshisekedi seem to have been relegated to the background, giving way to immediate concerns resulting from a security management that is close to failure, particularly in the east of the country, where armed groups are proliferating.
The instability affecting regions such as Goma and Minova calls into question not only the authority of the State, but also its capacity to guarantee the security of the Congolese. The LAMUKA coalition, through its spokesperson Prince Epenge, pointed this out with bitter irony: “The current chaos shows that Tshisekedi is incapable of protecting the Congolese”. This observation, which has become recurrent in the opposition’s discourse, echoes a reality that many Congolese experience on a daily basis.
### **Comparison with previous regimes**
Historically, the Tshisekedi regime would not be the first to face popular discontent. Previous regimes, such as that of Joseph Kabila, also had their dark hours in terms of human rights. However, the rise of social networks and digital activism has allowed an unprecedented mobilization of civil society and opposition parties. This phenomenon changes the game: abuses no longer go unnoticed and are often relayed to thousands, even millions, of voices that rise up against injustice.
The arrests denounced by LAMUKA seem to be part of a repressive attitude that, at first glance, recalls authoritarian periods, when dissenting opinion was systematically silenced. The dichotomy between citizens’ rights and government practices has never been so pronounced, favoring the polarization of Congolese society.
### **Call to action and popular sentiments**
LAMUKA has succeeded in crystallizing growing expectations among the population, which yearns for change. The demand for Tshisekedi to resign or, failing that, to abandon any desire to modify the Constitution for a third term, is a concern felt within a broad spectrum of society.. A study conducted by the Congo Réal polling institute revealed that 63% of Congolese people were opposed to a change in the constitutional provisions on the number of mandates. This unprecedented figure shows the extent to which a large part of the population is in line with the opposition’s demands.
### **A need for peaceful dialogue**
This climate of tension calls for reflection on conflict resolution mechanisms in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Large-scale demonstrations, while legitimate, must be accompanied by a willingness on the part of the opposition to propose viable solutions and to promote dialogue with the government. The latter, in turn, should realize that repression is not a solution and that engaging in a genuine consultation process is the only way to avoid such a disaster.
### **Conclusion: What are the prospects?**
The march of January 24 is only one step in a broader struggle for democracy and respect for human rights in the DRC. The growing awareness of the population and the ability of organizations and political parties to mobilize to make their voices heard are signs of hope. However, the path remains strewn with pitfalls. In the future, it will be crucial to learn the lessons of the past and work towards a Congolese society where dialogue and inclusion prevail over violence and exclusion.
Given the worrying circumstances in which the country finds itself, the evolution of the political climate will have to be closely monitored to determine whether the DRC can gain new momentum towards enlightened governance that respects the rights of all its citizens.