**Goma: Echoes of a Tormented Past and the Challenges of Collective Resilience**
The city of Goma, emblematic of Congo, lush but plagued by immeasurable suffering, finds itself once again at the heart of a tragic upheaval. As rumors of the advance of Rwandan forces flood social networks, a feeling of despair mixes with that of revolt. Echoes of the past, recalling the capture of the city by the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL) in 1997, remind us that history tends to repeat itself when vigilance is lacking.
It is appropriate to take a step back and question the role of mass psychology in this recurring drama. The enemy’s approach here is not simply physical, but also mental. Disinformation, so skillfully orchestrated by external actors, shapes perceptions and divides the population. Manipulation of emotions, which seems to be a weapon of choice in contemporary conflicts, is intertwined with the seductive speeches of those who exploit human weakness.
This educational and cultural phenomenon is one of the greatest chains that hinder freedom. A study by the University of Kinshasa revealed that nearly 35% of young Congolese do not know enough about their recent history, an alarming finding that opens the way to exploitation by foreign forces. So what happens when education is absent, when the values of identity and solidarity evaporate?
Patrick Muyaya, Minister of Communication and spokesperson for the government, embodies a change, by trying to establish war communication. The need to convey clear and strong messages to counterbalance disinformation is crucial. Yet, in Goma, the situation is getting worse. The alliance between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and Rwanda establishes a precarious balance, which could break at any moment, leaving civilians, once again, on the front lines, trapped by interests that are not theirs.
The consequences of this psychological war are not limited to geopolitical domination. The repercussions on the population are devastating. Rates of depression and anxiety are soaring, exacerbated by the uncertainty of a stable future. Children, in an atmosphere of terror and instability, are growing up in an environment where fear is omnipresent. A study conducted by the NGO Psychologie Sans Frontières indicates that the prevalence of trauma among children in the region has almost doubled since the beginning of the tensions.
By analyzing this crisis through a comparative prism, it is interesting to draw a parallel with other regions that have experienced similar conflicts. Take, for example, the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.. Intercommunal fractures, exacerbated by skillfully orchestrated propaganda, have led to unprecedented atrocities. What we see in Goma may be a distant echo of the humanly devastating behaviors when hatred is cultivated instead of understanding. In 2023, the DRC could still learn from this tragic episode of recent history.
To restore a semblance of hope, the key lies in collective mobilization. Congolese students, often at the forefront of movements for change, must claim their voice and power. Religious denominations, often seen as bastions of compassion and solidarity, must also play their role as educators and unifiers by spreading messages of peace and resilience. A common approach between education, awareness-raising and community can lay a solid foundation for Goma’s rebirth.
The challenge today is not only to defend a territory, but to restore human dignity and block dehumanization. The new generation must overturn stereotypes and rewrite the narrative. Bullets can destroy buildings, but knowledge and solidarity can rebuild societies. As Goma faces an unprecedented ordeal, a call for collective resilience resonates. It deserves better than a future dominated by fear and destruction. Unity and knowledge are more powerful weapons.
So let us write together this chapter of resistance, where suffering is transformed into strength, where Goma, much more than its tragic history, becomes the symbol of the rebirth of a people. It is not simply a fight against the invader, but a quest for dignity and a future. It is time to take a stand. Goma could become a beacon for others, an example of resilience and unity, so that history, this time, does not repeat itself.
**Written by Teddy Mfitu**
Senior consultant, CICPAR firm, researcher and writer.