C’est le ton qui fait la panique

As the conflict in eastern DRC drags on, political and popular language is becoming more radical, with unvarnished, Manichean positions. Increasingly, we are seeing the use of terms like "traitors" and "accomplices" flourish in public debate—words loaded with meaning that divide and polarize.

For example, people living in areas under rebel occupation are sometimes indiscriminately accused of being "accomplices" of this armed group. While some have indeed chosen to support the rebellion, this does not apply to the entire population.

So, how can we analyze this tendency to refer to "traitors" or "accomplices" in times of crisis or conflict? What are the consequences? And, above all, how does the use of these terms influence public debate?

Two guests will discuss this topic:

- Alain-Joseph Lomandja, Doctor of Social Ethics,

- Jean-Luc Mburanumwe, jurist, lawyer in Kinshasa