DRC: When Rwanda appropriates and broadcasts the voice of Congolese Minister Patrick Muyaya

Amid the tumult of the conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement (M23), one figure stands out and transcends the front lines: Patrick Muyaya, the DRC's Minister of Communication and Media. His firm, peace-loving rhetoric resonates far beyond Congolese borders, even resonating with some Rwandan citizens weary of the excesses of their own leader, Paul Kagame.

A speech of peace and firmness

Patrick Muyaya has distinguished himself in recent weeks as a leading politician in the DRC, cutting through with clear and reassuring communication, calling for calm and national cohesion in the face of provocations. Unlike Paul Kagame, the Rwandan president, whose aggressive statements, for example calling Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi a "pizza delivery man," border on the most uninhibited Trumpism, Muyaya adopts a dignified and unifying stance, and a clear discourse. He reminds us that the real enemy is not the Rwandan people, but the M23, the original aggressor, and the Kagame regime that secretly supports it. Muyaya soothes and calls for not giving in to ethnic hatred. He also repeatedly reiterates that the Tutsi community in Congo is part of the nation and will be defended at all costs by his government, despite the propaganda of M23 terrorists aimed at making people believe that the DRC government is persecuting Tutsis.

Growing popularity on Rwandan social networks

This measured approach has not gone unnoticed in Rwanda. Rwandan TikTok accounts such as @rw_observer and @kigalivibes24 are now widely sharing Muyaya's speeches, generating positive reactions from many Rwandans. Hundreds of thousands of views and heated debates have resulted in Internet users expressing their respect for a leader who advocates peace and mutual understanding, in contrast to the belligerent rhetoric of their own president.

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Positive and multilingual communication

Aware of the importance of reaching an international audience, Patrick Muyaya speaks in French, Lingala, and English to address both sides of the border. This strategy allows him to gain visibility and rally support for his cause beyond the French-speaking world, thus reinforcing his stature as a modern leader open to dialogue.

In these troubled times, Patrick Muyaya's voice rises like a call for reason and peace, and internet users have not been mistaken. His ability to touch the hearts and minds of Africans, even beyond enemy borders, testifies to the power of sincere and respectful communication. In the face of provocations and hateful speech, he now embodies the hope for a peaceful resolution and harmonious coexistence among the peoples of the region.