The Governor of North Kivu province in eastern DR Congo has announced a ban on divisionism and hate speech in areas under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel movement, citing growing concerns about ethnic and tribal messaging. ALSO READ: Kinshasa made ethnic division 'a business opportunity', says governor In an official communiqué released on Tuesday, May 5, Bahati Erasto Musanga said the decision follows the circulation of divisive content on social media and in informal gatherings. He warned that such rhetoric undermines social cohesion in a region already weakened by decades of conflict. “These practices, which run counter to the values of cohesion and coexistence promoted by the AFC/M23, further weaken the social fabric already torn apart by decades of war and discriminatory policies,” he said. ALSO READ: Researcher warns genocide ideology in DR Congo 'at its peak' The directive prohibits, across all areas controlled by the movement in North Kivu, territories held since early 2025, the organization of ethnically or tribally driven demonstrations and meetings, as well as the dissemination of messages that incite community hatred. It also bans any initiatives aimed at pitting communities against one another. ALSO READ: DR Congo must be violence-free, says AFC/M23 leader Nangaa Musanga stressed that “peace, tolerance, and solidarity are indispensable pillars for the reconstruction and development of our province,” warning that violations will be met with legal sanctions in accordance with existing laws and regulations. Divisionism and hate speech have increasingly been flagged by researchers and crisis observers as central drivers of instability in eastern DR Congo. Analysts argue that such narratives have, over time, been normalised in political discourse in Kinshasa, often surfacing in public speeches. ALSO READ: Former preacher lifts lid on FDLR’s use of religion to spread hate One of the most recent incidents involved Sylvain Ekenge, the former Congolese army spokesperson, who in December 2025 made remarks on national broadcaster RTNC that targeted Tutsi women and families. Observers say such rhetoric reflects a broader pattern among some leaders who have openly expressed hostility along ethnic lines, risking genocidal violence. “[Genocide ideology] is at its peak, it is a time bomb,” said Congolese researcher Alex Mvuka in a recent interview with The New Times. “If you remove all other conflict dynamics that have evolved over the last 30 years, you find this huge virus that has not been treated but instead has been given the right conditions to grow.” ALSO READ: The unfinished colonial agenda: Rwandan researcher on Belgium’s influence in Rwanda and DR Congo In this context, the Governor urged residents “to remain vigilant and to denounce any attempt at community manipulation by unscrupulous politicians from the Government of Kinshasa, who are seeking political positioning at the expense of the unity and stability of our Province.” ALSO READ: 80-year-old Congolese reflects on lifetime of injustice, attacks in DR Congo Echoing the message, Vice Governor Willy Manzi, in a post on his official X account, emphasized national identity over ethnic affiliation. “We are Congolese, and that is our identity,” Manzi said.
