COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT OF THE CRISIS BY THE PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE OF TSHOPO IN THE CONTEXT OF THE MBOLE-LENGOLA CONFLICT

Author: Jacques-Riverain Lofemba Boningoli Ph.D, Dieudonné Kambale Kasika Ph.D & Stella Vitamara Bazarakwonke

ABSTRACT

This study examines the communication crisis management of the provincial government of Tshopo in the face of the Mbole-Lengola interethnic conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Triggered in 2023 against the backdrop of a land dispute related to the transfer of land to an agro-pastoral company, the conflict is part of a context marked by historical, socio-economic and identity tensions. The violence has caused hundreds of deaths, mass displacement and a serious humanitarian crisis. The analysis reveals an initial management marked by inertia, the absence of a structured crisis communication strategy and the incoherence of institutional messages. The channels used proved to be unsuited to local linguistic and socio-economic realities, limiting their reach. The communities’ mistrust of the authorities has increased polarisation and the circulation of rumours. Although late initiatives for dialogue were undertaken, they were perceived as insufficient. The study highlights a lack of strategic communication based on transparency and inclusion. It recommends the adoption of a proactive, culturally appropriate and participatory approach. Such an orientation appears essential to restore confidence and foster lasting peace.

Keywords: Crisis communication, Mbole-Lengola conflict, provincial executive, Tshopo, Democratic Republic of Congo.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. BARTH, F., Ethnic Groups and Boundaries. The Social Organization of Culture Difference, Little, Brown and Company, 1969.
  2. Loubet del J-L., Initiation aux méthodes des sciences sociales, Paris, Montréal-Harmattan, 2000.
  3. LUND, C., « Twilight Institutions: Public Authority and Local Politics in Africa», In Development and Change, 27(4), 1996, 685-705.
  4. MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES, Tshopo: More than 4800 households’ victims of the inter-community conflict in Lubunga assisted by MSF, 2023.
  5. NZONGOLA-NTALAJA, G., The Congo from Leopold to Kabila: A People’s History. London and New york, Zed Books, 2002.
  6. TURNER, S. (2004), « Land Conflicts in Africa: Causes and Solutions », In African Studies Review, 2004, 47(2), pp.1-15.
  7. LIBAERT, TH., La communication de crise, Paris, Dunod, 2018.
  8. COOMBS, T. W., Ongoing crisis communication: Planning, managing, and responding (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2015.
  9. United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. (2020). Small arms and light weapons: Report of the Secretary-General. New York: United Nations.