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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Elections & Politics

Congolese youth urged toward calm debate on constitutional reform

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Congolese youth platform is urging young people to engage in constructive dialogue regarding a potential constitutional reform.
  • The group emphasizes rejecting violence, manipulation, and political hatred, advocating for responsible citizen participation.
  • This initiative aims to foster a peaceful democratic climate for discussing national issues.

Amid ongoing political discussions about a possible constitutional reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a youth platform named La Jeunesse parle Constitution is calling for calm and constructive debate. The group stressed the importance of dialogue and democratic discussion in a public statement released on Monday, June 1st, following a meeting in Kinshasa on May 30th.

The great national questions must be debated in compliance with the laws, institutions, and divergent opinions.

— Serge Etinkum AnzaExplaining the importance of respectful discourse on constitutional matters.

Participants, including student representatives from various universities, urged Congolese youth to reject all forms of violence, manipulation, and political animosity. The campaign, initiated by political actor Serge Etinkum Anza, seeks to promote responsible citizen engagement on constitutional matters within the DRC. This comes at a time when debates about amending the constitution are intensifying, alongside calls for protests by some political figures.

Serge Etinkum Anza stated that major national issues must be debated respectfully, adhering to laws, institutions, and differing opinions. He emphasized that the youth, a significant force in Congolese society, should contribute to public discourse through reasoned arguments rather than confrontation. The platform encourages young people to maintain critical thinking, demonstrate civic responsibility, and reject manipulation, violence, vandalism, or political hatred.

The youth, as a major force in the Congolese sociopolitical landscape, must contribute to public debate through the power of ideas and arguments, not through confrontation.

— Serge Etinkum AnzaHighlighting the role of young people in shaping national discussions.

Student leaders present at the meeting underscored the need for a peaceful and constructive debate, free from insults and divisions. Organizers believe that the future of the DRC will be shaped more effectively through democratic dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and citizen responsibility than through escalating tensions.

We want to sit with Chris. I want him to look me in the eye.

— Kellie MoodyExpressing her desire for direct answers from the workmate.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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