In the territory of Djugu, in Ituri Province, alarming xenophobic messages are circulating on social media, targeting Congolese citizens originating from North and South Kivu, falsely accusing them of being responsible for the spread of Ebola in the region.
Several residents and traders operating in Djugu say they have received threats of death, allegedly linked to individuals spreading audio recordings and online messages calling for the expulsion of people from the Kivu provinces.
The messages reportedly circulate in several localities, including Iga-Barrière, Lopa, Mabanga, Mungwalu and Pluto.The content of these communications goes further, with some allegedly inciting violence against anyone identified as coming from North Kivu or South Kivu, creating growing fear among displaced populations and migrant traders.
Reacting to the situation, political actor Luc Malembe condemned what he described as unacceptable xenophobic rhetoric, warning that he is collecting evidence of the messages with a view to submitting them to judicial authorities for prosecution.
He stressed that such acts violate the Congolese Constitution, particularly Article 30, which guarantees freedom of movement and prohibits the expulsion or forced displacement of any citizen from national territory.
“All individuals present on national territory have the right to move freely and reside wherever they choose under the law. No Congolese can be expelled or forced into exile,” he recalled.
Malembe called on security services to identify and arrest those behind the dissemination of hate speech and incitement to violence, urging that they be brought before competent courts.He also rejected claims linking the Ebola outbreak in Ituri to populations from the Kivu region, stating that scientific evidence identifies the current strain as the Bundibugyo strain, originating from Uganda, and not from the Kivus.
He further highlighted the difficult situation faced by residents of Goma and Bukavu, describing their displacement as a consequence of armed conflict and insecurity linked to the M23 presence, which has forced many families to seek refuge in other provinces, including Ituri.
According to him, these displaced populations should be protected rather than stigmatized, calling for solidarity and respect for humanitarian principles in host communities.
The situation reflects growing concern over misinformation, hate speech and the fragile coexistence between communities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where security and public health crises continue to intersect.
