** Title: “National cohesion and patriotism: the keys to overcome war in the DRC” **
On March 8, the Linzabe socio -cultural association organized an awareness session to patriotism for young Congolese, an initiative that took on its full meaning in the disturbed context of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a period when persistent tensions and armed conflicts threaten the very foundations of society, the speeches that advocate national cohesion and citizen vigilance resonate in a poignant way.
Serge Bosembo, president of the association, stresses that the war that strikes is not only a fight against the Félix Tshisekedi regime, but rather an offensive against the entire Congolese nation. This clarification is crucial: by relocating the problem of war from the simple political framework to a national problem, Bosembo calls for a collective awareness that transcends political cleavages.
### A call to unity: the role of patriotism
In a country where ethnic and regional rivalries are often highlighted, strengthening national feeling is essential. The statistics revealed by the UN report on peace and security in Africa indicate that countries with strong social cohesion are experiencing fewer internal conflicts. For example, Angola, after decades of civil war, has succeeded in establishing precarious peace by strengthening national identity and promoting reconciliation initiatives.
Bosembo’s approach, focused on the education of young people and the importance of enlightened patriotism, is therefore an approach which aims to anchor in new generations the essential values of respect and solidarity. Awareness of patriotism could also be accompanied by educational programs which integrate lessons on the history of the country, the struggles for independence and everyone’s contributions to the national building.
### An alternative: custom as a vector of peace
The assertion that custom should play a central role in resolving conflicts in the DRC is all the more relevant when examining the plurality of judicial systems. Many communities turn to their traditions to find solutions to their problems. In rural areas, a customary justice process closer to the people could allow a de -escalation of tensions. Studies by the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) attest that traditional conflict resolution mechanisms are often more effective than formal judicial systems, especially in contexts where confidence in the state is eroded.
By integrating cultural and traditional elements in crisis management, the DRC could call on a local wisdom reservoir that has proven itself. The possibility of incorporating traditional leaders into the disinfiltration of institutions such as the army or the police deserves special attention. But this also requires transforming their perception into allies rather than potential adversaries.
### Citizen vigilance: an imperative
Citizen vigilance, as Serge Bosembo evokes, should not be a simple posture, but a real commitment. Encouraging young people to actively participate in the surveillance of abuse of authority, to denounce deviant behavior in their communities and to organize themselves in social or cultural movements could open the way to new forms of social dialogue.
Inspiring examples can be observed in other African countries which have recently changed towards greater citizen mobilization to defend their rights. In Tunisia, for example, civil society played a decisive role after the 2011 revolution by organizing itself to demand good governance and surveillance of institutions. A similar dynamic is desirable in the DRC, where youth could become the necessary change agent.
### Conclusion: towards a national renaissance
The call for national cohesion, so much claimed by Serge Bosembo and the Linzabe socio -cultural association, is not only intended for young Congolese, but to all actors in society. If the DRC definitely wishes to turn the page on conflicts, it must imperatively initiate a national conversation on the meaning of identity and the reconstruction of its social fabric.
Precise and resilient, this approach could not only lead to a patriotic renewal but also to offer an innovative model on the way of managing the diversity and socio -political challenges of a nation in search of peace. The fight for a unified Congo is a battle that each Congolese, in his own way, can wear.