Tribute to Pope Francis No.06

Tribute to Pope Francis No.06: Pope Francis’ historic visit to DR Congo: an unfinished call for peace and unity in the face of unfulfilled responsibility

 

by BENIT MOKE, Youth Ambassador IMICA-RD Congo, Doctorant-Chercheur en Communication pour le développement (C4D) à l’Université Catholique du Congo,

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INTRODUCTION

Africa is a continent in the shape of a revolver whose trigger is in Zaire (D.R. Congo). This statement by Franz Fanon, which is as old as African independence, sounds like a prophecy that is still struggling to come true for lack of a consistent commitment on the part of those primarily concerned, namely the Congolese citizens themselves. There is no doubt that the Democratic Republic of Congo occupies a strategic position to serve as a locomotive for the development of the African continent.^[1]. Indeed, given its vast geography and wealth of natural, human, cultural, mining and energy resources, a stabilised DR Congo would be a guarantee of development and a breeding ground for peace in the sub-region. And yet, as we approach the millennium, ‘the Congo’s development seems doomed to a sort of interminable march in place»^[2].

Pope Francis’ visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo was a landmark event, conveying a strong message of peace, reconciliation and unity. The visit took place from 31 January to 3 February 2023, exclusively in Kinshasa, and came 43 years after that of Pope John Paul II in 1980. The circumstances of his visit were marked by a worrying security situation, particularly in the east of the country, where armed conflicts and violence against civilians persist. Initially, Pope Francis had planned to visit the east of the DRC, a region hard hit by decades of armed conflict and violence against civilians. However, because of the continuing insecurity and the risks associated with his visit, he was forced to limit his stay to Kinshasa, where he concentrated his meetings and speeches. The reasons for his trip were profound and multiple. On the one hand, the DRC is a major bastion of Catholicism in Africa, with more than 40 million faithful, i.e. almost 50% of the population, making it the African country with the largest number of Catholics and the sixth largest in the world. Furthermore, his visit was part of a desire to comfort a battered people, to denounce injustice and to call for a collective awakening to build a future based on peace, justice and solidarity.

Pope Francis’ visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo was a landmark event, conveying a strong message of peace, reconciliation and unity. The visit took place from 31 January to 3 February 2023, exclusively in Kinshasa, and came 43 years after that of Pope John Paul II in 1980. The circumstances of his visit were marked by a worrying security situation, particularly in the east of the country, where armed conflicts and violence against civilians persist. Initially, Pope Francis had planned to visit the east of the DRC, a region hard hit by decades of armed conflict and violence against civilians. However, because of the continuing insecurity and the risks associated with his visit, he was forced to limit his stay to Kinshasa, where he concentrated his meetings and speeches. The reasons for his trip were profound and multiple. On the one hand, the DRC is a major bastion of Catholicism in Africa, with more than 40 million faithful, i.e. almost 50% of the population, making it the African country with the largest number of Catholics and the sixth largest in the world. Despite his precarious state of health, Pope Francis braved the physical challenges to come and meet the Congolese people, demonstrating his deep attachment to the DRC and its inhabitants. His message was much more than a simple spiritual exhortation: it was a solemn call to collective responsibility, inviting every Congolese to take their destiny into their own hands, to transcend ethnic and political divisions, and to work together to build a nation founded on justice, solidarity and lasting peace. His speech, imbued with moral strength and hope, was not limited to comforting words; he made a lucid diagnosis of the ills that have plagued the country for decades. He firmly denounced the violence ravaging the east of the country, the corruption weakening the institutions, and the injustices keeping a large part of the population in precarious situations. Through his words, he called for a collective awakening, urging leaders to govern with integrity and citizens to commit themselves actively to a better future, where human dignity and the common good would finally be placed at the heart of national priorities.

However, after his departure, and now after his death, the echo of his call seems to have dissipated without provoking the much hoped-for national awakening. The scourges he denounced – corruption, violence and injustice – continue to undermine the country, and the Congolese people are struggling to become fully aware of their responsibility to build their own future. His message, though full of strength and clarity, has not been translated into concrete action, leaving behind a bitter feeling of missed opportunity, like a light that could have guided the country but remains untapped.

His time in the DR Congo will undoubtedly go down in history, but the very essence of his message remains on hold, awaiting a genuine transformation. The fundamental questions remain: Will the Congolese people one day honour his call by finally making the necessary commitments to build the nation he hoped would emerge? How can we turn this surge of hope into a driving force for real and lasting change, so that his legacy is not just a memory, but an impetus towards a renewed future?

I.The visit of Pope Francis: a strong message but ignored
1.A call for peace and reconciliation

Despite his fragile state of health, Pope Francis braved the physical challenges to come to the Democratic Republic of Congo, bearing witness to his deep attachment to this country scarred by decades of conflict. His trip was not just a pastoral visit, but an act of solidarity and compassion, aimed at comforting a people in search of stability and justice. In choosing to visit the DRC, he wanted to send a strong message that peace and unity are the fundamental pillars of a prosperous nation.

In his various speeches, he stressed the need to put an end to the violence and internal divisions that are holding back the country’s development. He firmly condemned the suffering of the people of the East, victims of armed conflict and repeated atrocities. His address, imbued with spirituality and realism, called on the Congolese people to overcome the ethnic, political and economic divisions that fuel instability and prevent the building of a common future.

Pope Francis also urged Congolese leaders to assume their responsibilities by putting in place policies that promote national reconciliation and social justice. He recalled that peace cannot be lasting without a sincere commitment on the part of the authorities to fight corruption, protect fundamental rights and guarantee transparent governance. His message was addressed to both the elite and the people, emphasising that every citizen has a role to play in consolidating peace.

Lastly, his call for unity was not limited to speeches: it took the form of powerful symbolic gestures, in particular his meeting with the victims of the violence in the east of the country. Through these poignant exchanges, he sought to show that reconciliation can only be achieved by listening, acknowledging suffering and working together to rebuild. His message was clear: peace is not an unattainable ideal, but a collective responsibility that requires concrete action and a deep commitment from all Congolese.

2. An enthusiastic reception but without lasting impact

The arrival of Pope Francis in the Democratic Republic of Congo was met with immense popular fervour. Thousands of faithful gathered to welcome him, expressing their joy and gratitude at this historic visit. The Mass he celebrated at Ndolo military airport was attended by more than a million people, a striking testimony to the Congolese people’s attachment to the Catholic faith and its message of peace. The streets of Kinshasa were alive with songs, prayers and expressions of gratitude, reflecting the hope that this visit would mark a decisive turning point for the country.

However, despite this warm reception and exceptional mobilisation, the impact of his message was not lasting. His call for peace, reconciliation and collective responsibility seemed to have touched hearts, but it was not followed by any real national awareness. The Pope’s inspiring speeches were widely relayed, but they did not lead to concrete changes in the behaviour of citizens and leaders. The emotion aroused by his presence gradually faded, giving way to an unchanged reality.

After his departure, the harmful practices that undermine Congolese society quickly resumed their course. Corruption, embezzlement and political violence continued to undermine the country, as if his message had been a fleeting one. Conflicts in the east of the DRC have not ceased, and social injustice persists, despite repeated calls for solidarity and justice. This inertia highlights a deep-seated problem: the lack of a genuine collective commitment to translate the Pope’s words into concrete action.

This raises an essential question: why has such a powerful message, delivered by a respected world figure, failed to provoke a national response? The answer may lie in the culture of resignation that characterises part of the population, accustomed to broken promises and empty rhetoric. Without a firm commitment to change, even the most inspiring appeals risk going unheeded.

The visit of Pope Francis, although significant, was not enough to set in motion a process of lasting change. It revealed the enthusiasm and hope of the Congolese people, but also the difficulty of converting this fervour into a concrete commitment to a better future. The real question remains: how can we ensure that this spiritual and moral impetus is not simply a memory, but a driving force for real and profound change in the DRC?

When leaders of developing countries explain what it is like to be underdeveloped and why their nations are working so hard to develop their economies, they almost always stress the human aspect of the issue.[3]

In United Nations terminology, a ‘developing’ or ‘underdeveloped’ country is one with a per capita income of less than $300 a year. This is what is meant by ‘underdeveloped country’. Such a country is not underdeveloped in every respect: it may be economically underdeveloped, while being highly developed in terms of personal relationships or the art of philosophy. It may not be entirely underdeveloped, even from the economic point of view: there are, however, a few rich landowners and a few large industries, in the midst of a mass of smallholders and poor peasants.[4]

If the moral and spiritual impetus of the DRC is to be more than just a memory, it must be integrated into a development strategy that values education, entrepreneurship and transparent governance. Investing in training tailored to local realities and making the most of traditional knowledge will make it possible to transform skills into economic opportunities. In addition, encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises based on local resources will offer a sustainable alternative to the exploitation of raw materials. Finally, effective governance and a better redistribution of wealth are essential if growth is to benefit the entire population.

The DRC can also capitalise on its cultural and artistic wealth to boost its development. Art, music and philosophical traditions strengthen the national identity and can become economic levers, particularly through tourism and the export of Congolese know-how. The key is to turn this moral strength into a strategic resource, by fully integrating it into development policies for prosperity based not only on economic indicators, but also on the solidarity and resilience of the Congolese people.

II. Foreign researchers’ interest in the DRC

1. Publication of a book on the Congolese Holocaust

Shortly after Pope Francis’ visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, political scientist and conflict expert in the Great Lakes region of Africa, Charles Onana published a book entitled Holocaust in the Congo: L’Omerta de la communauté internationale.[5] In this book, published in April 2023, the author highlights the suffering of the Congolese people, denouncing the massacres, violence and looting that have marked the recent history of the country. It relies on official documents, including the archives of the CIA, the Pentagon, the White House and the European Union, to demonstrate how the DRC is a victim of a silent war orchestrated by foreign powers and regional actors.

Charles Onana’s book is part of an effort to expose and raise awareness of the mechanisms of domination and exploitation that are keeping the DRC in a state of chronic instability. He argues that since 1994, the country has been infiltrated by militias and foreign troops, particularly from Rwanda and Uganda, who are involved in the systematic plundering of natural resources. In his view, this hidden war is fuelled by economic interests linked to strategic minerals that are essential to global industry, including arms, mobile phones and the energy transition.

This book illustrates the interest that international researchers and historians are taking in the situation in the Congo, often more actively than local elites. While outside voices are speaking out to denounce injustices and suggest avenues for reflection, some Congolese intellectuals and leaders seem to have little commitment to producing historical and political narratives designed to enlighten the population about its own past and present challenges. This imbalance raises a fundamental question: why should it be foreigners who take the initiative in telling the story of the Congo and denouncing its sufferings?

This situation highlights the need for the Congolese to take ownership of their own narrative and produce critical analyses of their history and their future. It is essential that Congolese researchers, writers and journalists become more involved in documenting the country’s realities, in order to strengthen the collective memory and foster national awareness. Without this ownership, there is a risk that the history of the Congo will be told solely by outside voices, sometimes with biases or interests that do not always reflect the deep aspirations of the Congolese people.

2.Challenges of national ownership

The publication of Charles Onana’s book on the Congolese Holocaust is part of a wider dynamic in which foreign researchers, historians and journalists are taking an active interest in the situation in the Congo. For several decades, books, reports and in-depth investigations have been produced to document the crises shaking the country, highlighting the plundering of natural resources, the massacres perpetrated in the east and the chronic political instability. This work has helped to raise global awareness and to alert international bodies to the urgent need for concerted action to put an end to the suffering of the Congolese people.

However, this external interest contrasts sharply with the lack of local initiatives to document and denounce these realities. While foreign voices are raising the alarm about injustices and suggesting avenues for reflection, some Congolese intellectuals and leaders seem to have little commitment to producing historical and political narratives that can enlighten the population about its own past and present challenges. This imbalance raises a fundamental question: why should it be foreign researchers who take the initiative in telling the Congo’s story and denouncing its sufferings?

This situation highlights the need for the Congolese to take ownership of their own narrative and produce critical analyses of their history and their future. It is imperative that Congolese researchers, writers and journalists become more involved in documenting the realities of the country, in order to strengthen the collective memory and foster national awareness. The transmission of history by local players would not only provide a better context for events, but would also mobilise the population around a vision of society based on truth and justice.

In this appropriation, the risk remains that the history of the Congo is told solely by outside voices, sometimes with biases or interests that do not always reflect the deep aspirations of the Congolese people. It is therefore essential to develop a culture of research and documentation, in which the Congolese themselves take charge of telling the story of their past and present, in order to better build their future. Such an approach would strengthen the country’s intellectual sovereignty and enable future generations to rely on a history written by their own thinkers, and not dictated by outsiders.

3. Un contraste frappant avec l’indifférence locale

While foreign researchers, historians and journalists are mobilising to denounce the injustices and suffering of the Congolese people, a large part of the local population seems to be plunged into a worrying inertia. The atrocities in the east of the country, the plundering of natural resources and the political excesses are widely documented by international authors, but their voices are often louder than those of the Congolese themselves. This dynamic raises an essential question: why do indignation and concrete action seem to come from outside the country rather than from within?

This lack of mobilisation can be observed among citizens as well as among the political and intellectual elites. Instead of taking firm action to protect national interests, leaders often remain silent, or even complicit in the systems of corruption that weaken governance. Congolese intellectuals, for their part, struggle to produce major works on the realities of their country, leaving the narration of history and current crises to foreign analysts. This lack of ownership of Congolese discourse creates a worrying imbalance, with the country’s history being told by outsiders.

Moreover, the Congolese population itself seems to have adopted a form of resignation. The injustices and repeated crises have ended up creating a feeling of powerlessness that prevents genuine citizens’ movements from emerging and demanding change. Although mobilisations do break out from time to time, they often remain ad hoc and have no lasting impact, due to a lack of effective structuring and sustained collective commitment. The great transformations of nations depend on people taking their destiny into their own hands, but in the DRC this awakening is struggling to take place on a large scale.

This contradiction between external indignation and internal indifference highlights the need for the Congolese to rediscover a collective conscience and a sense of national duty. Silence and inaction cannot be the answer to the crises shaking the country. Every citizen has a role to play in denouncing injustice and building a better future. Greater involvement in political debates, involvement in local initiatives and greater demands on those in power could be powerful levers for breaking out of this passivity.

It is imperative that the DRC is no longer merely observed and analysed by outsiders. The Congolese people must take their history, their memory and their future into their own hands, by documenting their suffering, their struggles and their hopes. Without this ownership, there is a risk that the country’s challenges will be defined by foreign perspectives, sometimes biased or motivated by external interests. A collective awakening is essential if future generations are to be able to rely on an identity and a narrative built by the Congolese themselves, for the Congolese.

III. The challenges facing the Congolese people in their own future

1. A governance marked by corruption and betrayal

For several decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by large-scale corruption, with public funds often diverted to the detriment of national development. Leaders implicated in mismanagement scandals have rarely been held accountable for their actions, fostering a culture of impunity and political stagnation that hampers any attempt at institutional reform.

The absence of effective accountability mechanisms contributes to the persistence of these practices, reinforcing citizens’ distrust of their leaders. Investigations into massive misappropriation of funds, although sometimes covered by the media, rarely result in real sanctions. This situation weakens the credibility of the State and prevents transparent management of public resources.

Moreover, this widespread corruption has a direct impact on essential services such as education, health and infrastructure, plunging a large part of the population into increased insecurity. Instead of promoting governance focused on collective well-being, political decisions are often geared towards personal interests or the interests of privileged groups, leaving citizens to fend for themselves.

Without a profound reform of the system of governance and a genuine political will to fight corruption, the DRC will continue to see its resources diverted and its development hampered. It is imperative that credible control and sanction mechanisms are put in place to guarantee fair and transparent management of the country, where leaders are fully accountable for their decisions and actions.

2. A population in search of landmarks

Faced with the multiple crises shaking the DRC, a section of the Congolese people seems to be living in social and political confusion, where demands for a better future often remain weak or scattered. Although some citizens are expressing their discontent, their mobilisation remains insufficient to exert significant pressure on the leaders and demand far-reaching reforms.

Instead of focusing on major issues such as governance, civil rights and economic development, people are often distracted by pointless political squabbles and superficial distractions, which weaken their ability to unite for change. Public debates are sometimes monopolised by short-lived polemics, leaving genuine national concerns to take a back seat.

The lack of civic education and access to information also hampers the emergence of a strong civic conscience. A well-informed population is better equipped to defend its rights and influence political decisions. In the DRC, however, limited access to education and independent media hampers this dynamic, keeping many communities passive in the face of the country’s challenges.

If there is to be any hope of significant change, the Congolese people must commit themselves fully to building a structured citizens’ movement, based on clear demands and constant pressure on the authorities. History shows that nations that have progressed are those where citizens have actively mobilised for their future. The DRC cannot remain a spectator to its own destiny indefinitely.

3. Uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources: between plunder and lack of economic strategies

DR Congo is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of natural resources, with minerals such as cobalt, gold, coltan and diamonds. Yet, paradoxically, this wealth has not led to prosperity for the population, but rather to massive exploitation by foreign powers and armed groups operating with impunity.

The plundering of the Congo’s natural resources is orchestrated by international networks that take advantage of political instability and the lack of effective regulation to appropriate minerals that are essential to the global technology and energy industries. This exploitation is often to the detriment of local populations, who benefit very little from the income generated by these raw materials.

The absence of sound economic policies and economic patriotism prevents the country from taking full advantage of its wealth. Rather than encouraging local industrialisation and processing of raw materials, the DRC continues to export its raw resources at low prices, leaving the added value to foreign countries. This situation keeps the country in a state of extreme economic dependence, where it remains vulnerable to fluctuations in the world market.

To reverse this trend, it is essential that the DRC adopts responsible management and exploitation strategies, to ensure that the benefits derived from natural resources actually reach the Congolese people. Without a proactive economic policy and strict regulation of exports, the country will continue to suffer from systematic plundering, which only accentuates poverty and underdevelopment.

IV. Towards an awareness and a collective awakening

1. L’urgence d’un sursaut national : a people facing their fate

The DRC is at a decisive turning point in its history. The challenges it faces cannot be overcome without collective awareness and the firm commitment of every citizen. It is no longer enough to hope for change to be brought about by leaders alone; it is up to everyone to play an active part in building a better future. Without a national awakening, the country will continue to be bogged down in cyclical crises that hamper its development and compromise its potential.

Capital must be invested to produce more capital. Unless you have very rich natural resources or a great deal of assistance from more advantaged countries, it is hardly possible to accumulate investment capital without savings. The basic dynamic of economic development is therefore savings and investment for productivity.[6]

Moreover, history has shown that the nations that have progressed are those whose citizens have been actively involved in social and political transformation. In Europe, Latin America or Asia, popular movements have often been the catalysts of far-reaching reforms. The Congo, rich in its resources and cultural heritage, cannot remain a prisoner of inaction and fatalism. It is urgent that the people understand that their involvement is the key to national prosperity.

This national surge cannot be limited to ad hoc responses to crises; it must be a continuous commitment based on concrete actions and a demand for accountability. It is a mobilization that transcends ethnic, political or social divisions to create a real dynamic of change. Citizens must demand strong institutions, inclusive policies and transparent governance, because a country’s success depends on the vigilance and active participation of its people.

The awakening of the Congolese people will be the engine of their future. It cannot depend indefinitely on external interventions or the decisions of a few elites. Every Congolese has a historic responsibility to build a country where justice, peace and sustainable development prevail. It is only by uniting forces and affirming a collective will that the DRC can finally break the deadlock and build a prosperous and respected nation.

2. The application of the principles advocated by Pope Francis: a vision to be realized

Peace, reconciliation and unity were at the heart of Pope Francis’ message during his visit to the DRC. These principles must not remain mere ideological concepts or inspirational discourses; they must be integrated into national strategies to transform Congolese society in depth. The country’s recent history has shown that without sincere dialogue and collective engagement, divisions become entrenched and fuel conflicts, thus holding back progress.

The implementation of political and social reforms based on these values is essential for lasting change. This requires a redesigning of the institutions so that they are truly at the service of the people, guaranteeing transparency, fairness and social justice. Reconciliation mechanisms must be developed to restore trust between the different communities and allow a national construction based on cohesion rather than fragmentation.

Unity cannot be imposed, but must be cultivated through initiatives promoting solidarity and citizen participation. It is essential that leaders set an example by promoting inclusive and equitable policies that allow each Congolese to feel part of the country’s development. Overcoming political, ethnic and regional divisions must be a central objective in order to build a DRC where every individual can prosper without discrimination.

Pope Francis’ call should not be seen as an event of the past. It is a moral and strategic legacy that present and future generations must take ownership of in order to build a more just society. Peace and reconciliation are not unattainable ideals: they require collective will and concrete actions, without which the country will remain stuck in permanent instability.

3. Education and mobilization as levers of change

The development of a country depends largely on the training and awareness-raising of its population. The DRC cannot hope for sustainable transformation without a strengthened education system that prepares its citizens to take charge of their future. Civic, political and economic education must be a priority because an informed population is better equipped to claim its rights and play an active role in national development.

Increased awareness of the importance of citizen engagement and the fight against corruption is necessary to break out of the culture of resignation that hinders progress. Young generations must be encouraged to understand the political and social issues of their country in order to become actors of change. Awareness campaigns should also aim to demonstrate that each Congolese has a role to play in governance and national prosperity.

Congolese youth are a huge force that, if well trained, can transform the nation. It is imperative that she be educated in responsible governance, national advocacy and entrepreneurship. By investing in educational programs that value innovation and leadership, the DRC will be able to build a generation capable of breaking cycles of stagnation and reinventing an economic model adapted to its resources and needs.

Citizen engagement and education are the fundamental pillars of a prosperous country. Without effective mobilization and knowledge transfer, the DRC will continue to be vulnerable to crises and external influences. To ensure a better future, it is imperative that every Congolese, regardless of their social status, realizes that his or her role in society is essential and that only a collective effort can ensure a positive and lasting transformation of the country.

4. Contribution of Communication for Development

The development of communication does not only affect personal lifestyle, work or leisure. It also affects other areas such as, for example, large institutions, large companies, administrations, in other words political, economic, cultural and even sporting or religious life. In short, communication leads to encompass all the strategic activities of a country, all the networks and all the instruments that circulate knowledge, information, and works as a kind of reading grid of social practices. It has become a fashionable concern and an imperative for all decision-makers concerned with promoting exchange, transparency, participation, and solving the problems facing a society that wants to perform. [7]

It is important to stress that communication for development is not reserved exclusively for communication professionals, but is also a cross-cutting mission involving all development specialists. There is no exception to the freedom to inform and be informed, as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Every individual has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, which includes the right not to be concerned about his or her opinions and the right to seek, receive and disseminate information without regard to frontiers through any means of expression.”^[8]

Access to information, including increased public involvement, is a central task of communication for development. If the vulnerable segments of the population are better informed, they will be in a better position to assert their rights and take advantage of public offers to lift themselves out of poverty. Easy access to information is also one of the central tenets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the international community in 2015 in New York and which the Democratic Republic of the Congo is striving to promote.

Indeed, the development of a country requires more than the action of a single individual and even a government team. This is achieved through the combined action of all the skills in the country concerned. In the Congolese context, the need for collective action becomes de facto an obligation. That is, the right and duty of every citizen to express himself on major societal issues. Based on this consideration, we establish a formal relationship of equivalence between communication and the basic framework necessary to think, with all rigor, the question of development, while considering that individual or collective action leads social actors to make use of languages.

Communication for development would play a crucial role in the ownership of foreign researchers’ initiatives by facilitating the dissemination of knowledge and strengthening the engagement of local actors. By highlighting the work done on the crises in the Congo and integrating it into public discussions, Congolese media can enable citizens, intellectuals and decision-makers to take ownership of these analyses and supplement them with their own perspectives. The organization of debates, conferences and awareness campaigns through community radio stations, digital platforms and academic institutions can thus transform these external research into engines of reflection and local action.

It is based on 4 closely related approaches^[9] : la communication axée sur les changements comportementaux; la communication pour le changement social ; 3) la communication visant à promouvoir certaines idées ; les activités visant à soutenir et renforcer un environnement médiatique et de communication favorable.^[10]

In addition, communication for development can encourage the production of local content by inspiring Congolese researchers to delve deeper into the topics covered by their foreign counterparts and adapt them to the realities of the country. The establishment of collaborations between national and international researchers, supported by scientific extension programs and accessible publication spaces, would create an autonomous intellectual dynamic. Thus, rather than being only passive receivers of external analyses, the Congolese could rely on these works to enrich their own narrative and propose solutions rooted in their experiences and aspirations.

CONCLUSION

The visit of Pope Francis to the Democratic Republic of the Congo will remain a milestone, a unique opportunity to infuse a collective revival. His message, imbued with peace, reconciliation and unity, was an invitation to the profound transformation of the country, an exhortation to abandon divisions and build a future based on justice and solidarity. Yet, despite the emotion and hope it carried, its passage was not enough to trigger a dynamic of lasting change. The country’s crises persist, and the DRC is struggling to realize that its destiny can only be shaped by its own people.

While foreign voices are rising to denounce the injustices and suffering of the Congo, it is imperative that the Congolese stop being mere spectators of their history and actively engage in the reconstruction of their nation. The future of the country is based on an individual and collective awareness, where each citizen recognizes his or her role in the development of society. The transformation of the Congo will not come from outside or from a providential leader, but from a common will to act, to demand profound reforms and to build governance that reflects the aspirations of the people. Congo’s awakening cannot wait any longer; it must be a top priority to ensure a future of dignity and prosperity.

 

1. Alain NZADI-A-NZADI, S.J : L’invention d’un nouveau Congo, une panacée pour la région des grands lacs et pour l’Afrique. In Congo-Afrique n°570, Kinshasa, Décembre 2022, 62è Année.
2. Charles Onana, Holocauste au Congo : L’Omerta de la communauté internationale, l’Artilleur, 2023
3. Claude-Jean Bertrand (dir), Introduction à la presse, la radio et la télévision, éditions marketing S.A., Paris, 1995.
4. Council on World Tensions. Indépendance et modernisation, Nouveaux Horizons, 1964.
5. Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme, adoptée par l’Assemblée Générale de l’ONU à Paris, le 10 décembre 1948 lors de sa 183^ème séance plénière.
6. Isidore NDAYWEL E NZIEM : Le Congo à la traversée du millénaire ; une brève histoire du Présent, in Congo-Afrique n°570, Kinshasa, Décembre 2022, 62è Année.
7. Mc CALL, E., La Communication pour le Développement : Accroître l’efficacité des Nations-Unies, United Nations Development Programme Bureau for Development Policy Democratic Governance Group, New-York, 2010.
8. WILBUR SCHRAMM, L’information et le développement national, rôle de l’information dans les pays en voie de développement, nouveaux horizons, Paris, 1966.

 

[1] Alain NZADI-A-NZADI, S.J : L’invention d’un nouveau Congo, une panacée pour la région des grands lacs et pour l’Afrique. In Congo-Afrique n°570, Kinshasa, Décembre 2022, 62è Année, p.1224

[2] Isidore NDAYWEL E NZIEM : Le Congo à la traversée du millénaire ; une brève histoire du Présent, in Congo-Afrique n°570, Kinshasa, Décembre 2022, 62è Année, p.1242

 

[3] Council on World Tensions. Indépendance et modernisation, Nouveaux Horizons, 1964, p. 57-59.

[4] WILBUR SCHRAMM, L’information et le développement national, rôle de l’information dans les pays en voie de développement, nouveaux horizons, Paris, 1966, pp. 26-27.

[5] Charles Onana, Holocauste au Congo: L’Omerta de la communauté internationale, l’Artilleur, 2023

 

[6] WILBUR SCHRAMM, l’information et le développement national, rôle de l’information dans les pays en voie de développement, nouveaux horizons, Paris, 1966, p. 42-43

[7] Claude-Jean Bertrand (dir), Introduction à la presse, la radio et la télévision, éditions marketing S.A., Paris, 1995, pp.23-24.

[8] Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme, adoptée par l’Assemblée Générale de l’ONU à Paris, le 10 décembre 1948 lors de sa 183^ème séance plénière, Article 19.

[9] La « communication axée sur les changements comportementaux », la « communication pour le changement social » et la « communication visant à promouvoir des idées » ont été discutées au cours de la 8e Table ronde interinstitutions à Managua, 2001. L’approche fondée sur le développement des capacités reconnaît l’importance du renforcement des capacités de communication pour construire un environnement favorable efficace.

[10] Mc CALL, E., La Communication pour le Développement : Accroître l’efficacité des Nations-Unies, United Nations Development Programme Bureau for Development Policy Democratic Governance Group, New-York, 2010.