Rumours and misinformation can fuel fear and tensions, and even spark conflict, particularly in regions already experiencing war and displacement. The Sentinel Project’s Kijiji Cha Amani supports access to reliable information in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, helping to build a more trustworthy information environment and contributing to peacebuilding efforts. The following account by our East Africa program manager, John Otunga, outlines the main motivations and successes of our Kijiji Cha Amani project.
There are numerous reasons why misinformation is so dangerous in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The country is experiencing a severe information crisis. The media landscape is fragmented, with numerous outlets influenced by political interests. The government, armed groups, and politicians often interfere with media operations, forcing journalists to self-censor or face dire consequences. The lack of credible news sources allows rumours and misinformation to spread like wildfire throughout the DRC. This fragility extends to the online world, where misinformation and rumours thrive. Social media platforms like X and WhatsApp have become breeding grounds for misinformation. For these reasons, distinguishing fact from fiction remains challenging for users.
Second, there are significant gaps in access to information. Radio remains a crucial medium, especially in eastern DRC, but its reach is limited, and it is also often influenced by external forces. In particular, women in the DRC have limited access to information compared to men. For instance, they are less likely to rely on the radio, highlighting the gender gap in media consumption. Due to these gaps, word-of-mouth becomes the primary way people understand their world, often leading to fear, division, and violence. For instance, in April 2021, in Buhene village, a false rumour about an impending attack sparked a mass exodus, leaving countless families displaced and destitute.
For all of these key reasons, in northeastern DRC, the lack of trusted sources of information has allowed various actors to strategically deploy narratives and manipulate public perception, leading to inter-ethnic mistrust, tension, and violence, a situation mirrored in most areas of the DRC.
To support bridging the information gap, the Sentinel Project has operated Kijiji Cha Amani in North Kivu since 2017. Kijiji Cha Amani provides an interactive mobile phone-based information system for members of the public to report rumours. Our team then investigates them before sending the verified facts back to the community, enabling a culture of fact-checking. As James Kataliko, Kijiji Cha Amani’s project leader from North Kivu, explains,
“Misinformation is like a poison that spreads quickly and destroys everything in its path. It tears families apart and makes it impossible to build a peaceful future.”
His words underscore the devastating impact of false information on individuals and communities. In our next post, we will share eye-opening excerpts of an interview we conducted with James. He highlights the crucial role misinformation plays in prolonging violence in the region and the role of Kijiji Cha Amani in dealing with misinformation and supporting peacebuilding.