On January 17, 2025, as part of a commemoration marked by emotion and reflection, Me Mupili Kabyuma Carlos, coordinator of the Civic Education and Electoral Observation Commission (Educiel), made eloquent remarks on the emblematic figures of the struggle for freedom in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Laurent-Désiré Kabila and Patrice-Emery Lumumba. This tribute is not limited to the simple evocation of the two national heroes; it opens a window on the deep reflection concerning the political and social legacy they left behind, a legacy that still resonates today.
Beyond the armed and peaceful struggles that characterized their respective paths, it is crucial to consider their impact on future generations. Indeed, while Kabila and Lumumba opposed the forces of imperialism, this fight still resonates in contemporary struggles for social justice, human dignity and respect for civil rights in the DRC. Analyzing the consequences of their resistance to forms of foreign domination helps to better understand the country’s current challenges.
As a fervent defender of human rights, Me Mupili observed that the very nature of the commitment of the two leaders, far from being a simple historical narrative, becomes a source of inspiration and a roadmap for current struggles. In revisiting their legacy, it is interesting to note shared strategies that transcend eras. For example, the community mobilization that Kabila and Lumumba had put in place is a method that contemporary civil movements and local NGOs are adopting to strengthen citizen participation and political engagement within civil society.
In examining symptomatologically the roots of Congolese nationalism, we also come up against an obvious fact: the absence of real learning of history. Collective memory often remains selective, creating latent suffering that persists in the social fabric. Reinforced civic education could therefore be a powerful tool to combat ignorance and encourage constructive dialogue on the past. Promoting the ideals of Kabila and Lumumba as models of integrity and patriotism could help to forge a coherent and inclusive national identity.
Statistically, the DRC remains one of the richest countries in natural resources but horribly affected by practices of corruption and glaring social inequalities. According to the Transparency International report, the DRC ranks among the last on the corruption perception index. This observation raises a fundamental question about the sustainability of the values defended by Kabila and Lumumba, namely: where is the fight against corruption today? The values of social justice and the fight against inequalities, of which these national heroes were the standard-bearers, seem to be suspended in the face of a power that, in some analyses, is losing its legitimacy.
In this period of remembrance and celebration of their struggle, it is vital to redouble efforts to educate society on civic engagement and national sovereignty. The political legacy of Kabila and Lumumba must not be a tool of nostalgia, but a foundation for future struggles. The question arises: how can their legacy be integrated into school curricula to form conscious and engaged citizens, capable of opposing the injustices that persist?
Ultimately, the memory of Kabila and Lumumba is not limited to their past actions. It must imperatively be anchored in the present while inspiring future struggles. To this end, an intergenerational dialogue would be valuable, uniting the voices of those who lived through these events with those of the younger generations who aspire to a better future. The key lies in the transmission of knowledge and a desire for change, so that history does not repeat itself, but is transformed. Thus, this reminder of the struggle for national unity should encourage us to take a stand and act for a Congo where dignity and social justice finally prevail.