Category: Politics

** Summary: a breath of revolt in Türkiye: youth on the move for change **

On April 8, thousands of students gathered in Istanbul and Ankara, reviving a tradition of protest in a context marked by the arrest of the progressive mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. These manifestations are not just a simple reaction to an isolated event; They represent a turning point in the civic commitment of young Turks, aged 18 to 25, who claim a voice in front of a government deemed disconnected. With nearly 70% of young people dissatisfied with the current political leadership, issues such as economic precariousness and restrictions on freedoms of expression are at the heart of concerns.

Social networks play a key role in this mobilization, allowing demonstrators to organize actions and share their solidarity stories. This movement, which is built on various claims, could give birth to a real citizen movement capable of transcending traditional cleavages. While Turkey goes to crucial elections, the challenge for this dynamic generation will be to structure its commitment and transform its desire for change into political reality. The voice of this youth may well be the key to redefining the future of a country plagued by growing tensions.

** A tragedy that highlights the urgency of public security in Santo Domingue **

The tragic collapse of a nightclub in Santo Domingo, having cost the life of 113 people and carried with it the legend of the Merengue, Rubby Perez, plunges the Dominican Republic in a collective mourning and raises important reflections on the security of public places. Beyond the figures, this disaster is an affront to the country’s cultural identity, reminding us of the fragility of celebration moments. It is imperative to rethink security standards in the leisure industry, in order to prevent such losses in the future. In parallel, the need for psychological support for the victims and their families must be integrated into the responses to crises. While the nation cries, a call for action is felt: it is time to build a future where security and culture coexist to honor the memory of those we have lost.

### Mali-Algeria: a national unit under tension

The recent incident on the border between Mali and Algeria, marked by the slaughter of a Malian drone, aroused a start of national unity in Mali, orchestrated by a government in search of legitimacy. However, behind this facade patriotism hides an essential question: is this union sincere or simply a tactical response to a deeper crisis?

While Malian policies unite their voices against an Algerian “assault”, growing discomfort settles in part of the population. The historical tensions between the two countries, exacerbated by the 2020 coup, throw a shadow on this apparent solidarity. Some fear that this dynamic will only be used to divert the attention of real economic and social concerns, while Mali fights with an alarming poverty rate and increasing insecurity.

The speeches that emerge from this crisis reveal a striking polarization, between galvanized nationalism and calls for critical reflection on civil rights. Through this crisis, an imperative is emerging: building a true national unity, based on dialogue and inclusiveness, rather than on patriotic agitation, to ensure a lasting future in Mali.

In an electrified hemicycle, indignation took shape when deputies from rebellious France brandished the faces of Palestinian children to denounce the situation in Gaza. A gesture that has aroused polarized reactions, revealing deep fractures within the French political class. Between accusations of instrumentalization and disturbing truths, this scene questions our responsibilities in the face of the suffering of others, and what it really means to defend human rights. Beyond the show, what is the heart of politics if not humanity itself?

** Elections in the DRC: a political challenge between hope and disillusionment **

On April 8, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) crossed a crucial stage with the announcement of the electoral roadmap by Denis Kadima, president of the CENI. By providing for presidential elections for December 2028, this decision aroused a shock wave within civil society and political actors, exacerbating the tensions already present in a country plagued by conflicts.

Faced with a tumultuous socio-political situation, marked by instability and distrust of institutions, organizations like Aeta call for an overhaul of the electoral process. Securing polling stations and the transparency of the CENI are at the heart of their concerns, while history shows that reaching a consensus between the various political actors remains a major challenge.

To counter civic apathy, Aeta also insists on the need to strengthen civic education, a key for informed electoral participation. While the DRC is committed to the path of these crucial elections, the challenge will not only be to organize a vote, but to build a democratic system worthy of the confidence of its citizens. The road around 2028 is strewn with pitfalls, but it could mark a possibility of renewal for the future of the country.

### Bukama: the call for awareness of consciences

In Bukama, in the Haut-Lomami province, civil society actors launch a cry of alarm in the face of the controversial management of the Dieudonné Dieudonné Salumu, accused of incompetence and authoritarianism. This situation highlights problems of power and identity within communities, revealing a growing gap between administrative authorities and customary structures. With almost 60 % of Congolese provinces reporting similar tensions, the urgency of an inclusive dialogue is felt, in order to restore confidence and establish responsible governance. While Salumu rejects the accusations and evokes manipulations, the challenge remains to strengthen social cohesion and to consider a future where transparency and respect for prevailing traditions. Recent tensions may well become the catalyst for a positive change, offering the opportunity to transform conflicts into sustainable development levers.

### Rwanda: between genocide memory and contemporary tensions

On April 7, 2025 will mark the 31st anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, a tragic event that continues to influence the country. During the commemorations, President Paul Kagame allocated a space in memory of the victims while denouncing international criticism. This discourse, rich in emotions, illustrates the persistent tensions in the region of the Great Lakes and the determination of Rwanda to assert its identity in the face of the accusations.

Rwandan youth, it mobilizes with force, as evidenced by the march of memory involving more than 2,000 young people, eager to understand their past to build a better future. Contrasting with other nations that have gone through genocides, Rwanda chooses assertive nationalism, often denounced on the international scene for its less open critic approach. This raises a crucial question: how to balance national sovereignty and international responsibility?

In short, April 7 is not just a memory, but a call for action. Faced with a difficult heritage, Rwanda aspires to forge resilient identity, transforming the pain of yesterday into hope for tomorrow.

### PPRD: a political return between nostalgia and challenges

On April 7, 2025, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) marked its return to the Congolese political scene in Kinshasa, after six years of tumult that saw its electoral defeat in 2018 and a boycott of the 2023 elections. By celebrating its 23rd anniversary, the PPRD faces a tense political context, and its new leader, Shadary, patriotic. However, the rejection by the PPRD of the efforts of political dialogue with the government of Félix Tshisekedi underlines a growing fracture in the political landscape. With an overwhelming majority in Parliament, the question of true democratic commitment and inclusion remains essential for the future of the DRC. While the Congolese express a crisis of confidence in their institutions, the PPRD has the opportunity to redefine its role and to provide solutions to the pressing challenges of the country, but this will require a desire for evolution and dialogue.

** Summary: Towards an unprecedented political battle in Türkiye: Özgur Özel under the eye of the judicial cyclone **

Turkey is at the crossroads while Kzgur Özel, recently re -elected at the head of the CHP, finds itself at the heart of a legal storm after having qualified the government as “autocratic” during a speech in Ankara. This accusation of “insulting to the president” resonates as a symbol of the many attempts at the power in place to muzzle the opposition, with already more than 30,000 similar cases since the coming to power of Erdogan. By borrowing powerful historical references, Özel echoes memories of authoritarian regimes, while growing repression raises serious concerns about the future of democracy in Türkiye. The current dynamics, marked by the incarceration of key figures of the opposition and the quest for renewal of the CHP, is scrutinized with attention, both by the population and by the international community, while questions on the solidity of democratic values ​​in the face of authoritarianism are essential. The struggle for freedom of expression thus becomes a crucial issue in this uncertain political climate.

** Tensions at the CSAC: a hearing in the service of freedom of expression? **

On April 8, 2024, an unprecedented hearing in the Higher Audiovisual and Communication Council (CSAC) aroused strong concerns about the state of democratic institutions in the country. Three influential members, Jean-Pierre Eale, Serge Kabongo and Arthur Mayala, were summoned without clear explanations, revealing a climate of tension within an institution supposed to defend the free movement of information. The criticisms addressed by these advisers on opaque management of the institution and public funds raise disturbing questions about governance. Behind this closed hearing, some see it as an attempt to stifle dissident voices, strengthening the fears of an erosion of democracy and freedom of expression. Could this turning point mark the beginning of a movement for institutional transparency, or will it simply be yet another episode of a system in difficulty? The future of political governance in this country may well depend on it.