A Local History of the Congolese Citizen Movement Lucha

Citizen movements in sub-Saharan Africa, in the wake of the Arab Spring, emerged in countries like Senegal, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). One of such movement, LUCHA (Lutte pour le Changement), began in 2012 in Goma, a conflict-ridden city in eastern DRC. Comprised of young Congolese intellectuals, LUCHA arose due to the state's failure to fulfill its regalian role and provide basic amenities for its people. The country’s decline in social, economic, and political realms is tied to the IMF's structural adjustment plans of the 1980s, which hindered development. Dissatisfied with unheeded grievances, LUCHA tackled societal issues like poor road conditions and water shortages. Gaining attention, they shifted focus to holding the government accountable. LUCHA spearheaded the civil movement that ousted autocrat Joseph Kabila in 2016, enhancing their credibility. The country’s first election followed in 2019, yet failed to meet public expectations for change. Avoiding conventional politics, LUCHA built a unique, non-violent, apolitical movement with no single leader, standing out in the national landscape. The aim of my work is to understand how their autonomous political practice contributes to democratization against an authoritarian state.