President Félix Tshisekedi has officially signaled a tightening of the reins on the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s digital landscape.
Following a recent Cabinet meeting, the President directed his government to address a surge in online “abuses,” specifically targeting the spread of hate speech, disinformation, and personal insults. The Congolese presidency views the current state of social media as a threat to national stability, warning that digital platforms are increasingly being manipulated to fuel domestic division and undermine national cohesion.
President Tshisekedi noted that while the DRC already operates under a Digital Code designed to regulate online tools and penalize misuse, the existing framework requires more rigorous enforcement. He emphasized that the law must apply equally to private citizens and public institutions to ensure total accountability. To bridge the gap between legislation and public behavior, the President has mobilized a multi-ministerial effort to promote a more “rational” and ethical use of the internet.
The Minister of State for Justice and the Minister of the Digital Economy are now tasked with developing new measures to curb digital excesses, while Communication Minister Patrick Muyaya will lead a refreshed public awareness campaign regarding the Digital Code. Muyaya has frequently described online misinformation as a direct attack on national unity, echoing the President’s sentiment that the country’s digital space must not be allowed to devolve into an lawless environment.
While the government has not ruled out adopting more restrictive provisions to maintain order, officials have been careful to state that any new regulations must remain proportionate. The executive branch maintains that these efforts are intended to foster professional standards among influencers and journalists alike, ensuring that the Congolese digital environment is defined by responsibility rather than chaos.
RNK/te/lb/abj/APA