** Title: United in the storm: Reflections on Congolese unity through the voice of Jacquemain Shabani **
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the echoes of a long and devastating war continue to resonate in daily life and political discourse. The recent declaration of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Interior, Jacquemain Shabani, on the stigma of Swahiliphones communities, sheds light on a crucial issue: the need for unity in the face of disinformation and division. This call for solidarity and peaceful coexistence should not be considered as a simple reaction to prejudices, but rather as an invitation to reconsider the socio -political foundations of the country and to sketch lasting solutions to its perpetual crises.
During this meeting with the intercommunity caucus of the North and South Kivu as well as of Ituri, Shabani stressed that attacks and threats to Swahiliphones, amplified by social networks, are the result of a disinformation campaign. It is essential to understand that this phenomenon is not limited to ethnic tensions, but is part of a context of political manipulation where internal dynamics are exacerbated by external influences. In this sense, the consequences of this stigma are not reduced to the isolation of a group, but affect the entire nation, thus undergoing the foundations of peace and social cohesion.
Conflicts in the DRC are not only territorial or ethnic; They are also economic, social and historical. The scars left by decades of war call for collective introspection. As a media, Fatshimetrie.org has often mentioned the complex challenges of Congolese cultural heritage and the role of diversity in the reconciliation process. The ethnolinguistic wealth of the DRC, which brings together more than 200 ethnic groups, is often perceived as an asset. However, in times of crisis, it can easily be perceived as a source of conflict.
Statistically, the DRC is one of the nations richest in natural resources in the world, but paradoxically, it suffers from extreme poverty. According to the World Bank, more than 70 % of the population lives below the threshold of poverty. This precarious socio-economic framework is a fertile ground for handling and incentive to hatred. The struggle for power and control of resources causes rivalries that transcend tribal affiliations. True to its mesh function, Shabani underlined how external aggression, symbolized by the presumed support of Rwanda to M23 rebels, exacerbates these internal tensions.
An inclusive approach, as proposed by the Deputy Prime Minister, must not only focus on anti-stigmatization speeches, but also on the education and eradication of myths that feed the division. The intercommunity caucus recall that the assault affects all the strata of the company; A unit position is therefore preferable to build a common future. In this sense, how to create a framework that not only promotes tolerance, but truly the integration of the other?
Jacquemain Shabani’s initiative must pave the way for concrete actions. This could go through the implementation of interethnic dialogues and education programs on the richness of Congolese cultural diversity. In addition, promoting a positive storytelling on the successes of peaceful cohabitation of different communities in the past could serve as a model and inspiration for young generations.
Finally, the DRC must be proactive in the face of new communication dynamics. In an increasingly connected world, where social networks play a preponderant role, an awareness campaign to counter disinformation could prove beneficial. This is where the media and community organizations can play a leading role.
Jacquemain Shabani’s voice calls for hope and reflection. Behind the clashes and divisions, the Congolese share a national identity that war and disinformation strive to crumble. Promoting this identity, encouraging solidarity, and building a common account are all challenges to be met for a peaceful and prosperous future. Responding to the call of unit and coexistence is a path that could not only reduce tensions but also strengthen the Congolese social fabric as a whole. It is in this struggle for writing a new story that the true force of the nation resides.