FARDC: Avertit Dénigrement Officiers Supérieurs RDC, Menace Cohésion

• The FARDC General Staff denounced a rise in online campaigns denigrating senior officers during a September 11 press briefing in Kinshasa.
• Interim spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mac Hazukay cited platforms like YouTube and TikTok for content praising some officers while incriminating others.
• The military leadership stressed that these campaigns foster false rivalries, weaken internal cohesion, and directly threaten the morale of its forces.
• The FARDC affirmed that evaluating officers' merits and responsibilities is the exclusive domain of authorized military authorities, not public opinion.
• Media and content creators were urged to prioritize verified information, with warnings issued against defamatory statements or misleading audiovisual montages.

The military leadership stressed that these campaigns foster false rivalries, weaken internal cohesion, and directly threaten the morale of its forces.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) recently issued a strong condemnation regarding a surge in propaganda and denigration campaigns targeting its general and senior officers. During a press briefing held in Kinshasa on September 11, the FARDC's interim spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Mac Hazukay, highlighted the growing concern over such activities.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hazukay specifically pointed to various social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, as conduits for these campaigns. He deplored the nature of the content circulating, which often involves praising certain generals while simultaneously leveling accusations against others. This pattern of online activity has prompted the military leadership to take a firm stance against what it perceives as a concerted effort to undermine its integrity.

The FARDC spokesperson underscored the fundamental principles upon which the army is built: discipline, cohesion, solidarity, neutrality, loyalty, and a strict adherence to hierarchy. He warned that the divisive content proliferating online directly contradicts these core values. According to the military's assessment, these campaigns are designed to fuel false rivalries among officers, thereby weakening the overall cohesion of the forces.

Furthermore, the FARDC leadership expressed deep concern that such online narratives pose a direct threat to the morale of its troops. In response, the General Staff urged internet users to exercise caution and verify the reliability of sources before sharing any information. They also called upon the public to refrain from participating in what they described as 'Manichaean' campaigns that arbitrarily pit officers against each other, emphasizing the need for responsible online engagement.

The FARDC firmly asserted that the evaluation of its officers' merits, responsibilities, and performance is an exclusive prerogative of duly authorized military authorities. This critical function, they stressed, cannot and should not be dictated by public opinion or movements orchestrated on the internet. The military maintains that it possesses appropriate institutional mechanisms for assessing its personnel, ensuring that such processes remain internal and objective.

In light of these online challenges, Lieutenant-Colonel Hazukay specifically exhorted media outlets and content creators to prioritize the dissemination of verified and cross-referenced information. He issued a stern warning against the publication of defamatory statements, unfounded accusations, or misleading audiovisual montages, highlighting the potential repercussions for those who engage in such practices.

Above all other considerations, the FARDC General Staff emphasized the supreme interest of the nation and the imperative to maintain the cohesion of the armed forces. This national interest, they argued, is directly jeopardized by campaigns that seek to sow division within the military ranks. The FARDC's message underscores its commitment to protecting its institutional integrity against external pressures.

Finally, the General Staff enjoined all military personnel to remain steadfast in their constitutional missions. They were instructed to actively preserve the cohesion of the corps and to disregard any media maneuvers specifically designed to create division or discord within the armed forces. This directive reinforces the FARDC's resolve to maintain internal unity and focus on its primary duties.

This article signals the FARDC's intent to counter online campaigns targeting its officers. Lawyers should advise clients, particularly media outlets and content creators in the DRC, on the potential legal risks and enforcement actions associated with publishing unverified, defamatory, or divisive content concerning military personnel, emphasizing the need for factual accuracy and adherence to national interest.

Source: Reporting based on a press briefing by the FARDC General Staff.