'Given the ongoing media attacks against Rwanda, should we, as Rwandans, be posting on social media to respond to these accusations?' asked one of the friends who preferred anonymity. It was a valid question, one that carried significant weight, given the context of the media narrative surrounding the DRC conflict.
The attack on Rwanda's image is not a simple misunderstanding but a large and well oorchestrated misinformation campaign being spread across social media and various media outlets.
Rwanda has been falsely accused of involvement in the conflict in the DRC, with allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group. However, those of us who are familiar with the situation know the truth.
The M23, the group often blamed for the conflict, is fighting for the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese people, who have been oppressed and marginalized for decades.
Yet, despite this knowledge, some Rwandans find themselves caught up at cross roads when it comes to responding. As the conversation continued my other friend responded quickly. 'I don't post because of where I work,' she said.
With awe written all over my face, I wondered what she meant by 'where I work' and quickly deep within imagined that as a public servant, she was actually in a good position to post in response. I thought she should set an example for fellow Rwandans, especially young people, who look up to her.
'I follow what people are saying, those who are attacking us and those who are defending us. I also feel like responding, but I am afraid,' another friend said.
Still, I was surprised and kept wondering why someone would be afraid or scared to defend their country. Isn't it the right thing to do? Especially in this case where we all know the truth and the root cause of the problem?'
'I wish I had your experience and knowledge. If I did, I'd be responding like Tom Ndahiro or Minister Nduhungirehe!' I said, throwing everyone into prolonged laughter.
After recollecting ourselves, we unanimously agreed that it's important to respond to the media lies, we understand the need to do this and appreciate those who are doing it, but there is need to be careful.
One of the friends who does cross-border business, reasoned that responding to these people would affect friendships and businesses. There are friends, clients, or business partners who either intentionally or ignorantly support the other side, and confronting these people would negatively affect our businesses.
'More so, I'm also not comfortable with writing something and leaving it online because one day, those very people, institutions, organizations, and countries we are responding to may be people we need services from. They could bring up what we said about them,' she said.
I nodded in agreement but couldn't comprehend and insisted on the importance of defending our country. 'Ma'am, I get you, but I think we should be ready to do anything for our country in any way, especially in cases like this one where Rwanda is being wrongly accused of participating in the DRC conflict,' I argued.
I feel that nothing can stop me from doing this, not even my employer if they obliged me to keep silent. Rather, I would trade my job to protect my country. I have a firm conviction that such lies about my country should not go unchallenged.
In this case of the DRC conflict, the truth is clear. The M23 group is fighting for the rights of the Kinyarwanda-speaking people who have been oppressed for generations. These people are not foreigners; they are victims of a government that has failed to protect their rights.
Yet, the international community has sided with the Congolese government rather than advocating for the rights of these innocent citizens, protecting them, and addressing the root causes of this problem, which has persisted for decades. This is not just a moral failure; it is a betrayal of the very ideals these organizations claim to uphold.
It is for these reasons that I believe every Rwandan should take action. Whether it's through social media, conversations with friends and family, or any other platform, we must speak out against the lies being spread about our country.
We must counter the narratives being pushed by the media with facts and insights about the situation in the DRC. Let us speak from the heart and stand firm in our belief that the truth must prevail. Our collective voices can help set the record straight, not only for Rwanda but for the entire African continent.
Now, more than ever, we need to stand together as Africans. We must not allow ourselves to be silenced by the powerful forces that seek to maintain control over our resources and our destiny.
Let us defend our leaders, our people, and our nations from those who would exploit us for their own gain. The so-called international community has long shown that it does not care about the well-being of Africans.
It prioritizes its own interests, taking our resources while offering us loans and aid that keep us in a perpetual state of dependency.
The time has come for us Africans to stand up for ourselves. Let us speak out, educate ourselves, and inspire others to do the same. We must reclaim our narrative and defend our continent from those who seek to dominate and exploit it.
Together, we can create a future where Africa is free to tell its own story and to stand proudly at the global stage.
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The author is a concerned citizen
Bertin Ganza
