As is customary, the President of the Republic of Congo pronounced his wishes at the start of the year 2024. Against all expectations, he declared this year as that ” of the youth “. Filled with hope following this speech, some young Congolese hope to see a change in their environment. However, between lack of employment, incessant power cuts, shortage of drinking water, insecurity, land degradation and the lack of initiative to listen to what young people really need, many of us remain pessimistic in the face of this new.
Credit: Les plumes du Congo/Route Kinsoundi-Chateau d’eau
We are in Congo Brazzaville, the only country in the world where when it is your neighbor’s son who sings about the government’s indifference towards the population, we applaud and say congratulations to the artist. But when it’s your son who starts denouncing the same evil, we say be careful, big guy, you have to leave it, it’s not worth it. Indeed, notwithstanding a few hidden heads, it is not curious to note that in the Congo, when things are bad, no one dares to say something because everyone cherishes their life. Today, we would like things to change. The whole world must know that in Congo, the people of Brazzaville do not live, they survive and they are fed up.
To begin with, you need to know that young people have things to say. You must remember that they have the right to demand to be listened to. When we are surrounded by people who do not contradict us, it is extremely difficult for us to evolve. And because I think my voice can count, I would like you to read this until the end and share it.
A capital without electricity and drinking water
Illustrative photo / faucet of a household
Firstly, I would like to denounce the fact that a large part of the Congolese population has always lived in 18th century conditions while we are in 2024. Here again I am not talking about those who are in the villages eh. I am talking directly about those who are in Brazzaville, the very capital of the Republic of Congo.
To read :
Parties without drinking water or electricity in Brazzaville!
Indeed, in Brazzaville, to speak only of the capital, it is unthinkable to hope to finish a whole month without repeated load shedding. It is impossible to see drinking water coming out of our taps for a week. Also, it is difficult for a Brazzaville resident to arrive on time for an appointment. You will think that it is always the notion of time that we do not have, that is false.
Credit: Congo feathers / Route PK-MFILOU
In Brazzaville, because of poor roads and traffic jams, if you want to arrive on time for an appointment, you have to leave home two hours before. It’s sad but it’s true. Many people will deny it, because they think that Brazzaville is only the city center. On the other hand, go to It’s kossogo to Mfilou and take a trip to Kinsound, you will understand what I am talking about. However, some of these neighborhoods are not far from the city center but the state in which they are located is simply deplorable. As usual, unfortunately, no one is talking about it. As we often say at home, as long as no one has died for this, we will not take our cry seriously.
Secondly, the Congolese has become, out of fear, the one who remains silent in front of the people who must hear the remarks. He is that citizen who sulks and makes noise when he finds himself at home in front of his neighbors. Normal! Since we very often forget that peace is not just the lack of war. A person who cannot work for a week because he does not have electricity at home will never be at peace. Fortunately, there are some who understand the need to speak out. Not just to get noticed, but because their voices matter. Indeed, I personally liked the challenges launched by some young Congolese artists such as Zukoyable and the collective of KOSAR & FLATTBOY with Santa, who respectively highlighted the joys, the happiness, the good things but also the misfortunes that young people have experienced and are experiencing until today, through the lost cultures and the difficulties to which we face day after day days; notably, indifference and injustice, as well as all the other evils which undermine our communities and which make us more and more intellectually and socially inept.
Letter to the Republic
Hemerson Mouanga / Photo d’illustration
Since the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Denis Sassou NGUESSO said that the year 2024 is the year of youth, if by grace, luck or bad luck the members of the Congolese government were to read this article, I would like them to read the following:
Dear members of the government, dear parents, we know very well that it is not easy to lead an entire country. I say this because I had the grace to be at the head of a community for a few years in times past, and I know how hard it is. However, it is important to first know what you need to move forward. We are not here to tell you how you should run the country, since we know that you are smarter than many of us.
Only know that if those around you do not contradict you, it is because they are against you. If when you decide something everyone applauds without anyone opposing, know that you will continue to believe that everything is fine, without realizing that you will realize more and more ineffective and incompetent in the eyes of the population. So review your priorities. We want to believe the President’s words but, start by listening if you can, to what young people have to say.
Also, if necessary, kick out those who are up to no good and protect us from incivism, injustice and corruption. When you hear people criticizing you, know that they want you to improve, not the other way around. Please know that young people want to study and want to do business in good conditions. They don’t want to be forced to go abroad to study and hope to find something better. They want to innovate, they want to stand out and defend the colors of the country. If there is a chance to do so, no matter how small, fund their projects and trust in their ability to excel.
We implore you to rehabilitate the largest university in our country, to help private institutes by equipping them with technological and other equipment, in order to allow everyone to give themselves the chance to succeed and contribute effectively to the development of our Nation. We want to live in absolute peace because we know we have what we need to achieve it.
But above all, make sure that we no longer lack drinking water and electricity. Give us the opportunity to show ourselves competent in the eyes of the world in cultural, technological, social and other areas. You know like me how much Congolese youth love to study. Surprise us this year, sorry.
Sincerely!Prince-ley
For us and our future children
Route PK-Mfilou/Brazzaville
Until we see a change, share, like, leave a comment and make their phones ring until their batteries die if they don’t answer us. Best wishes!