Category: Politics

### Bukavu: a city plagued by violence and impunity

The city of Bukavu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has recently become the scene of a human tragedy, illustrating a spiral of violence that eats away at the region. On February 26, three young people were slaughtered, revealing an infernal cycle of reprisals and popular justice. The rise in violence, exacerbated by the presence of armed groups like the M23, creates a climate of distrust of the security forces, pushing the inhabitants to take matters into their own hands.

With an alarming increase of 50 % of violent incidents in six months, the situation challenges: how to get out of this destructive cycle? Communities are organized as they can, developing surveillance systems, but also risking leading to indiscriminate violence. The absence of a real rule of law and the urgent need to establish an inter -community dialogue underline the complexity of the crisis.

To prevent conflict climbing, lasting solutions must be envisaged, including disarmament, reconciliation and support for the security forces. In this landscape of despair, Bukavu faces deep issues that only holistic approaches can resolve.

** New Caledonia: Manuel Valls, the craftsman of a reinvented dialogue **

On February 26, 2025, New Caledonia is found at a crucial crossroads in its history, while the Minister of Overseas, Manuel Valls, called for a renewal of dialogue and reconciliation. After years of tensions between the Kanak and European populations, his inaugural speech proposes to build bridges rather than walls. The past peace agreements, although founders, show their fragility in the face of recent events.

Valls insists on the importance of “living together”, a concept that must be redefined to really integrate the cultural diversity and the demands of the two communities. While identity issues are increasingly significant, the challenge will be to find significant compromises during the institutional negotiations to come.

This commitment to peaceful coexistence cannot be limited to simple promises: it will have to result in concrete actions and take into account often marginalized votes. The international community looks closely, hoping that this new dynamic could serve as a model to resolve similar conflicts elsewhere. The path to reconciliation is strewn with pitfalls, but the opportunity for a common future finally seems to be at hand.

** Bibas procession: a symbol of sorrow and resilience in Israel **

On February 26, 2025, thousands of Israelis gathered to say goodbye to Shiri Bibas and his two children, KFIR and Ariel, tragic victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their funeral procession, filled with sorrow, also served as a powerful political act, not only emphasizing individual suffering but also the collective pain of a country in crisis. Yarden Bibas, a bereaved and surviving father, said: “I see a broken country”, evoking the heartbreaking duality of the realities experienced by so many Israeli families.

The procession, which united participants around a symbol of hope, the orange balloons, highlighted the need for a community in the face of a persistent tragedy. With 62 hostages still retained in Gaza, the challenges of collective healing seem immense. Bibas funeral is not only a tribute, they question Israel’s ability to transcend its sorrow and to consider reconciliation. This tragic moment recalls that memory must be alive and committed, calling for a reflection on dialogue and solidarity within a society marked by the pain of the past.

### Distribution of Yoon Suk-Yeol: a political storm in South Korea

The trial in dismissal of Yoon Suk-Yeol, South Korean president, represents much more than a power struggle in a courtroom; It is a reflection of the deep tensions that cross Korean democracy. Intense demonstrations outside the court and the controversial establishment of a martial law reveal a country plagued by political polarization. On the one hand, the supporters of Yoon, brandishing accusations of foreign manipulation, and on the other, a public opinion mainly in favor of his dismissal. This uncertain climate raises many questions about the democratic future of South Korea. While the Constitutional Court is preparing to make its verdict, the outcome of this trial could redefine the country’s political landscape and serve as a lesson for other democracies in crisis.

** “Trump gold cards”: a risky promise for America? **

On February 25, 2025, Donald Trump launched a controversial program of “golden cards”, offering permanent residence securities to investors willing to pay five million dollars. Presented as a way to attract “high quality immigration”, this project raises significant ethical and economic dilemmas. By placing wealth at the heart of access to citizenship, this initiative may not only accentuate socio-economic inequalities, but also to strengthen divisions already present in an American society plagued by debates on immigration. By potentially speaking to foreign oligarchs, Trump could also betray the fundamental values ​​of equality and opportunity that shaped the country. While this approach attracts investments, it questions the preservation of American identity, often celebrated for its ability to welcome various talents, far beyond simple financial resources. The moment is crucial to reflect on what it really means to be a citizen in a country based on hope and opportunities for all.

** The Democratic Republic of Congo at the crossroads: Félix Tshisekedi and the illusion of the National Union **

The proposal of Félix Tshisekedi of a government of national unity, mentioned by the opposition spokesman Olivier Kamitatu, arouses skepticism and debate. Using a culinary metaphor, Kamitatu underlines the growing distrust of the Congolese towards political promises, perceived as simple maneuvers to divert the attention of the true challenges of the country. The democratic history of the DRC reveals that the ephemeral coalitions often lead to mixed results, in particular in a context marked by internal and external tensions. For Tshisekedi, the key will be to convince the different actors in the need for sincere unity, capable of generating a real change, rather than constituting a simple political facade. The future of this initiative therefore lies in the ability to overcome distrust and establish a constructive dialogue, truly representative of the aspirations of the Congolese people.

### Joseph Kabila: A call to reinvent peace in the DRC

While the Democratic Republic of Congo is again confronted with governance and security crises, former President Joseph Kabila is expressed on the need for deep reform. In a recent platform, he denounced the military response of the SADC, which he said could exacerbate tensions rather than appease them. Kabila stresses that real solutions reside in promoting good governance and inclusive dialogue, involving all political actors, including opposition. By questioning the foundations of the Sun City pact and highlighting the growing debt of the country, it pleads for a paradigm change, where the aspirations of the Congolese people would finally be taken into account. This holistic approach is presented as essential to establish a true and lasting peace, far from the warrior logics. The current debate focuses on a crucial question: what future do we want for the DRC?

** The acquittal of Jean-Marc Kabund: a historic turning point for the Congolese opposition **

On February 21, the Court of Cassation acquitted Jean-Marc Kabund, ex-vice-president of the National Assembly and a key figure in the opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This event, which has erased the charges against him, could upset the country’s political landscape. While the DRC faces growing political tensions and fragmented opposition, this acquittal offers a glimmer of hope for civic mobilization and could encourage opposition parties to unite around charismatic leaders. According to statistics, less than 15% of opponents benefit from an acquittal in similar cases, making this decision a decisive moment in the fight for civil rights. However, the road to a unified opposition remains complex in the face of a power always in place. The international impact of this decision requires increased vigilance to guarantee effective respect for fundamental rights in the DRC. In the end, this acquittal represents not only a personal victory for Kabund, but also an opportunity to envisage a new political era, where the democratic aspirations of the Congolese could finally take shape.

** Federal elections in Germany: a turning point to the unknown **

The recent federal elections in Germany announce a major political upheaval, with the consecration of Friedrich Merz of the Conservative Party, ready to succeed Olaf Scholz. This victory, although modest, opens the door to new dynamics in matters of governance, while populism and the extreme right, represented by the alternative for Germany (AFD), reach unpublished heights.

The results pose a crucial challenge to traditional parties, faced with a legitimacy crisis while the electorate seeks alternatives. In parallel, economic concerns also seem to intensify, with the possibility of a turn towards austerity reforms under Merz.

While Germany, an emblem of European democracy, sails in this uncertain period, the question of the future of the European Union and the values ​​which found it arises with acuity. The repercussions of these political choices could redefine the European and world landscape. Faced with these changes, it is urgent for actors of German society to engage in a constructive dialogue to build a more inclusive and equitable future.

** The voice of reconciliation: Joseph Mukungubila and the challenges of the DRC **

In a poignant speech, Joseph Mukungubila, Congolese religious and political leader, highlighted the persistent wounds of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the face of armed conflicts, especially those of the M23 movement supported by Rwanda. His speech is not limited to a call to the collective memory of a bruised people, but also evokes the importance of recognition of past suffering to promote authentic reconciliation.

Mukungubila, integrating faith into his speech, raises questions about the ambiguous role of religious leaders in times of crisis. His call to a common faith, while risking more polarizing an already divided company, could also serve as a catalyst for a dynamic of change. In parallel, the behavior of Congolese policies in the face of crises, often marked by leaks in Europe rather than a commitment on the ground, raises the essential question of what leadership in wartime means.

Beyond the need for inclusive dialogue and collective participation, Mukungubila’s discourse highlights the crucial issue of sharing the pain of victims while considering a common future. In this quest for lasting peace, the reconstruction of confidence and the acceptance of shared trauma are imperative to transform the scars of the past into a solid foundation for the future of the DRC.