**Mbandaka: Popular support for the FARDC under the shadow of an unexpected cancellation**
On January 30, 2025, Mbandaka, the capital of the Equateur province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was to be the scene of an unprecedented demonstration of solidarity with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the Wazalendo fighters. A march, which was announced as a strong symbol of national unity and popular mobilization, was ultimately canceled, raising questions about the real motivations for this decision.
### A mobilization in search of support
Initially, this march promised to bring together different segments of the population of Mbandaka: youth, women, community leaders and civil society organizations. Its objective was clear: to express unwavering support for the FARDC, faced with a multitude of security challenges in the country, and for the Wazalendo, emblematic fighters of resistance within the population. In a climate of tension and uncertainty, such a demonstration would have put pressure on the collective imagination, reinforcing the feeling of patriotism and solidarity in the face of external threats.
The FARDC, although often criticized for various reasons, remains the pillar of national defense. In analyzing this popular support, it is interesting to note that research by Congolese sociologists has shown that increased popular support for military institutions is frequently correlated with periods of crisis, both economic and security.
### The shadow cast by the cancellation
The cancellation of the march, due to instructions from the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Interior, Jacquemin Shabani Lukoo, raises several questions. The decision seems surprising in a context where support for the FARDC could be interpreted as a national necessity. Such a cancellation could also reflect an underlying tension between provincial government and central state structures, adding a layer of complexity to governance in the DRC, where local autonomy often clashes with centralized directives.
It is crucial to ask whether this cancellation is symptomatic of the government’s inability to channel growing popular resentment over ongoing insecurity and the management of national resources. Recent statistics indicate that by 2024, approximately 60% of Congolese felt dissatisfied with the government’s security response to armed groups, which could signal an urgent need for new communication and community re-engagement strategies.
### Parallels with other popular movements
Internationally, similar support movements have taken place in other countries plagued by instability. Consider Ukraine, where the population overwhelmingly supported the armed forces in the face of external aggression, thereby boosting troop morale. This popular support is often essential to maintaining social cohesion in times of crisis.
Drawing parallels, it would be interesting to explore how effective mobilization, structured around this cancellation, could have served as a lever for genuine sociopolitical transformation in the DRC. Stories of popular resistance and resilience, like those observed elsewhere, could help rewrite the relationship between citizens and their institutions in a framework where the people could once again become actors in their own history.
### Conclusion: A voice and actions to be reassessed
Ultimately, although the cancellation of this march may seem trivial at the time, it resonates as a call for collective reflection in the face of complex sociopolitical issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While the people of Mbandaka wish to express their support for the FARDC and the Wazalendo, the real challenge lies in the ability of leaders to listen and channel these aspirations through constructive dialogue. The road to better governance requires mutual understanding and a renewed commitment to the realities on the ground. It is urgent that every voice be heard, because it is in listening to citizens that the true legitimacy of a power is born.