Congolese Activists Call for Wider Awareness of the DRC’s Digital Law and Code

Congolese human rights activists, influencers, and bloggers are urging the popularization of the DRC’s Digital Law and Code, following a conference on gendered disinformation and the fight against cyberbullying, which concluded on Wednesday, January 28, in Kinshasa. Speaking at the event, Ghislain Kabeya Mottomoke from the Ministry of Digital Economy stressed that the main goal is to strengthen public awareness of the Digital Code. “We have the Digital Code, particularly Article 356, which defines everyone’s responsibilities. Anyone who spreads tribalist, racist, or xenophobic content faces penalties ranging from one month to two years in prison and fines of 500,000 to 10,000,000 Congolese francs,” he explained. “We then move to Article 359, which condemns harassment.” He further noted that Article 360 explicitly prohibits the spread of rumors and false information: “When such content is disseminated, it incurs criminal liability. Penalties range from one to six months in prison and a fine of 500,000 to 1,000,000 Congolese francs. These penalties may be combined or applied separately, at the discretion of the judge.” For General Jean-Romain Kalemba Makengo, representing the Directorate of Telecommunications and New Technologies of the Congolese National Police, public collaboration remains essential in combating cybercrime. “The Congolese National Police is working hand in hand with the public to stop cyberbullies in their harmful activities,” he said. The conference was organized by the Political Affairs Division of MONUSCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy.