Regional

Government officials inciting hate speech in DRC should be held accountable

2023-07-27 04:45:00

Hate speech has long been recognized as a perilous weapon capable of inciting violence and fueling conflicts. Throughout history, genocide and war crimes have been driven or accelerated by hate speech, causing immeasurable suffering and devastation.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently grappling with a concerning surge in hate speech, particularly targeting the Tutsi community.

This alarming situation demands immediate attention from the international community to prevent further escalation and safeguard human lives.

The situation in the DRC is exacerbated by the involvement of prominent politicians closely associated with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi. Their use of inflammatory language and rhetoric further stokes tensions, polarizing communities, and exacerbating existing divisions.

The influence and reach of these politicians make their hate speech particularly concerning. It has the potential to mobilize large segments of the population.

The recent declaration by Justin Bitakwira, former minister of transport where he compared the Tutsi to evil, is deeply troubling and requires urgent action from the international community.

During an interview with Bosolo Politik TV, on July 7, Bitakwira said: "A Tutsi is a born criminal. They are all the same. When you see a Tutsi, you see a criminal. When they are in a position of weakness, they can sleep under your bed for six months. And when they gain power, they will deny ever knowing you, even though they slept under your bed for six months.

“I always wonder if their creator isn't the one who created the devil. I have never seen such a wicked race."

Bitakwira's words are not those of an ordinary person but a former minister who is a personal friend to President Tshisekedi, as he has proudly declared himself. His influence and close association with the President make his hate speech all the more dangerous.

Beyond targeting the Tutsi community, Bitakwira also made disturbing remarks about regional leaders, including describing them also as Tutsi. This aligns with Tshisekedi's efforts to downplay the role of EAC regional forces deployed in eastern DRC.

"Did you know that Museveni was born in Rwanda, in Butare? He is a Tutsi from Rwanda, but the President of Uganda! Have you looked closely at [William] Ruto's features? Have you really looked? Look carefully! I know all the tribes of Kenya – I know! And when you hear about the Hima empire, that's it! He may be called Ruto, he may be called Museveni, he may be called Kagame, it's all the same between them!” he said.

The genocide ideology expressed by Bitakwira knows no limits.

Such words from Bitakwira are extremely lethal and reminiscent of the hate speech witnessed in Rwanda on the eve of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. What is more concerning is that these hateful remarks are being spoken in a politically unstable country.

Despite pressure from the European Union, the government of DRC initially tolerated hate speech, highlighting the urgent need for accountability.

Hate speech serves as a catalyst for violence, acting as a dangerous accelerant in conflict-ridden regions. It preys on deep-rooted animosities, fostering hostility and mistrust between communities.

The international community must not remain indifferent to the escalating hate speech in the DRC. Timely intervention is crucial to prevent the situation from spiraling into a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe. Diplomatic efforts and targeted sanctions should be considered to hold accountable the people propagating hate speech and inciting violence.

The spread of hate speech targeting the Tutsi community, fueled by influential politicians, calls for immediate action to prevent further escalation. Holding individuals like Bitakwira accountable is essential in the fight against hate speech and its consequences