### Mbuji-Mayi and Mwene-Ditu: a massive response to the call of the armed forces, revealing a determined youth
Wednesday, February 19, marked a significant turning point for the youth of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while hundreds of young people from Mbuji-Mayi and Mwene-Ditu flocked to answer the government to the enrollment in the armed forces. Under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Guy Kabombo Muandiavita, this ceremony was held on Boulevard Laurent Désiré Kabila, in the presence of local authorities and thousands of citizens, testifying to a real craze for Military service.
But why this sudden and massive mobilization? Perhaps it is time to explore the socio-political and psychological implications that hide behind this initiative, as well as the concerns it raises.
#### A youth in front of overwhelming social challenges
At the heart of this enrollment frenzy, it is crucial to contextualize the motivations of the young Congolese. The DRC is a country rich in natural resources, but paradoxically, the majority of its population lives in poverty. The unemployment rate among young people has 70% in certain provinces, and personal development alternatives are rare. It is therefore not surprising that hundreds of young people have rushed to this opportunity perceived as an escape from their current situation.
The promises of better living conditions, food, and even financial support for their families, as mentioned by Muandiavita, have certainly played a decisive role. Young recruits, in search of dignity and social recognition, see military service as a way of contributing to national security while ensuring a more stable future.
### a psychology of engagement
Beyond the material aspects, military service in the DRC can be considered as an act of patriotism. For many young people, enlisting amounts to expressing a desire to serve a country that has suffered from decades of conflicts and instability. This feeling of national duty is a powerful factor of attraction, especially in a context where national identity is in search of Renaissance. Declarations like that of a recruit, “we want to support the Congo and we remind you that you have promised the soap”, illustrate how ready these young people are going beyond simple promises to be actors of their destiny .
#### An epidemic reaction: when the enrollment becomes “fashionable”
Note also an interesting sociological phenomenon: group dynamics. Young people, initially come to observe, decided to shave their skull and enlist. This could be akin to a fashion or social pressure effect where accession to movement becomes a way of integrating into a new common identity, that of a soldier. This phenomenon could be compared to other mass movements observed in the world, where contexts of economic despair and political dissatisfaction encourage entire generations to embrace radical causes or to join institutions such as the army.
### Ethical and societal issues
That said, this rapid growth in enrollments raises fundamental ethical and societal questions. Does the army, which could want a protective institution, become a simple alternative to a lack of opportunities? In addition, the question of training, military culture and values that will be instilled in these young recruits remains delicate. Asking themselves if these young people will be trained to defend the country or to become instruments of repression in a context already charged with internal tensions is a major issue.
#### Conclusion: an evolutionary future to monitor
The massive enrollment of young people in Mbuji-Mayi and Mwene-Ditu illustrates a complex situation, where hopes, despair and expectations mix. It is essential that the Congolese government ensures that this dynamic of recruitment does not only lead to a large army, but to a real institution which respects the rights of its members and is committed to the peace and prosperity of the DRC .
Ultimately, through this event, Congolese society is at a crossroads, and it belongs to its leaders, both political and economic, to transform the energy of this youth into a real lever of development and social renewal. The gaze to the future is both optimistic and prudent; That of new challenges to take up and promises to hold for a publicly Congo.