The cultural sector and the management of conflicts between operators are hot topics. During the meeting of the Council of Ministers, the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, stressed the importance of revitalizing the cultural sector and resolving the conflicts that exist between the various actors.
In his communication, the Head of State expressed his concern about the persistent internal conflicts, particularly in the field of music. He alluded to the problem of the collective management of authors’ rights and neighboring rights, and underlined that the Congolese Society of Authors’ Rights (SOCODA), created in 2011, has not fulfilled its role as a catalyst for development of the music industry.
President Tshisekedi therefore called for a process of reconciliation between the members of SOCODA and all the actors involved in the dissemination of Congolese culture. He also recommended the holding of a national forum on culture and authors’ rights, which will make it possible to produce a strategic plan for the revival of the Congolese cultural and music sector.
Beyond conflict resolution, the President stressed the importance of allowing artists to make a living from their art. He advocated the establishment of mechanisms to fight against the counterfeiting of works of art and the creation of an ecosystem favorable to the development of Congolese talent.
In another context, the Congolese Society of Authors’ Rights (SOCODA) is confronted with a series of court decisions in connection with internal conflicts. Recently, the Tribunal de grande instance of Kinshasa/Gombe ordered the cancellation of the minutes of the general assembly of SOCODA, underlining the non-respect of the convening deadline and the absence of convening of all the cooperator members.
This court decision follows a series of tensions within SOCODA, and reflects the need for in-depth reform of the copyright management sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This highlights the urgency of concerted action to resolve conflicts and revitalize the cultural sector. It is crucial to find sustainable solutions to allow Congolese artists to flourish and make a living from their art.
In conclusion, the revitalization of the cultural sector and the management of conflicts between operators are major issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is essential to promote reconciliation between actors, to put in place mechanisms to protect authors’ rights and neighboring rights, and to create an environment conducive to the development of Congolese talent. This will not only support Congolese culture, but also contribute to the national economy and promote the country’s cultural identity