The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation with enormous natural resources and debilitating poverty, continues to be mired in violence and political instability.

At the heart of the current crisis, as it has been for close to three decades, is a Rwandan armed group, that successive Congolese politicians have embraced, and weaved into the country’s body politic.

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This unholy alliance is a hole they dug and out of which they seem unable to climb. Isn’t it puzzling that the elites of that country are so committed to national self destruction.

The collapse of nationhood

At its core, the DRC, with its kaleidoscope of ethnicities and cultures, fights a battle beyond the bullets and bloodshed: the battle driven by entrenched hate and misrepresentation because of a genocidal ideology imported by Rwanda’s genocidaires in the form of self styled Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) who have been established in the country for close to 30 years now.

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The world often hears of the DRC’s troubles in simplified soundbites—rebel confrontations, mineral wealth exploitation, and a supposedly perennial grudge against its geographically smaller neighbour, Rwanda.

Yet, these soundbites mask a profound reality: the venom of hatred and racism has deeply instilled into the Congolese polity by FDLR which has support of the national army and government.

The country’s political, media, and academia classes in some instances, feed news channels with conspiracy theories that falsely paint Rwanda as the architect of their woes.

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It's a vicious narrative that ultimately leads the Congolese into a mire of victimhood and cognitive dissonance, overshadowing more nuanced truths and the real enemies within: poverty, corruption, and poor governance.

The incessant blame game masquerades as nationalism, but is it anything more than a toxic brew crippling the nation's soul? The fact is that hate, particularly when it targets specific groups like the Congolese Tutsi, Hema, Teke, and Banyamulenge, creates schisms within the society that are difficult to mend.

It obstructs peacebuilding and holds back a nation that could be a beacon of prosperity and unity in Africa.

The belittling of African lives

This harmful narrative goes beyond the borders of the DRC. It dishonors the memory of the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, which stands as an unembellished reminder of where unrestrained hate can lead. Mirror accusations and anti-Rwanda sentiments to hide the crimes committed against the above mentioned communities, not only disrespect the victims of past genocides but also endanger the present and future stability of the region.

It is essential to recognize that these flames of hostility, fueled by a perverted form of patriotism, do nothing but ravage the bearer.

The DRC government and those who want to help it recover from the ills of the past and present, must look ahead to address the true causes of its suffering.

Accusing Rwanda and cold-shouldering ethnic communities who are persecuted and killed, within its borders, will not close the doors on the armed groups that take advantage of this willful ignorance and distraction. Nor will it feed the hungry, educate the children, or heal the wounded.

Herein lies the call to action: It is time for the global community to look beyond the headlines and engage with the deeper, more complex narratives within the DRC. Solidarity is needed, not just in words but in efforts to curb the spread of hate speech and falsehoods.

Experts, fact-checkers, and peacemakers must stand together to educate and promote narratives based on truth and objectivity.

Awareness nurtures understanding, and understanding is the first step toward healing. The journey toward a stable and united DRC requires the world to embrace the humanity of its citizens - all of them without exception. Adequate international informed support and responsible reporting are imperative.

They serve as the tools to dismantle the strongholds of the toxic isms, shining a light on the shared struggles and aspirations of all Congolese people.

As readers and active participants in our online communities, we each hold power. The power to demand accurate representation of the DRC's challenges, to call out fake news when we see it, and to offer our voices in support of those who are suffering because of widespread indifference.

The storyline can change, and with it, save countless lives.