The rule of law in the Democratic Republic of Congo: persistent challenges despite the efforts of Félix Tshisekedi
For more than four years, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has worked to establish the rule of law in his country. Unfortunately, despite his efforts and his declared will, obstacles persist and make this undertaking complex. In a recent interview, the Head of State expressed his disappointment with the record of Congolese justice, which he considers to be a brake on the nation.
Félix Tshisekedi underlines that justice should be an essential pillar of the nation, but that on the contrary, it seems to harm the DRC. He rejects any accusation of instrumentalization of justice and affirms not to intervene in judicial affairs in order to preserve his independence. However, judicial decisions often perceived as arbitrary fuel people’s mistrust of justice and call into question its credibility.
This recent criticism comes on top of concerns expressed by the president during a cabinet meeting last October. Felix Tshisekedi then stressed the need to streamline the action of justice to strengthen public governance and the rule of law. In particular, he deplored judicial decisions that seemed to be taken randomly, which contributed to eroding trust between the people and the judiciary.
The Congolese president called on the Superior Council of the Judiciary to take measures to regulate and discipline the judicial system. He also insisted on the role of the General Inspectorate of Judicial and Penitentiary Services to support the Ministry of Justice effectively.
Despite these calls for reform, it is clear that the quest for the rule of law in the DRC is far from over. Dysfunctions persist and compromise the objective of impartial and fair justice for all Congolese citizens. This represents a major challenge for President Félix Tshisekedi who, while preparing to run for a second term, must face criticism concerning the slowness of the reforms undertaken in the field of justice.
It is essential that Congolese judicial institutions work independently, transparently and effectively to build people’s trust in justice. Structural reforms are necessary to guarantee the impartiality of judicial decisions and allow the rule of law to assert itself fully in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In conclusion, although efforts have been made to establish the rule of law in the DRC, challenges persist in the area of justice. Félix Tshisekedi recognizes shortcomings and calls for reforms to improve the credibility and efficiency of Congolese justice. The road to the rule of law therefore remains strewn with obstacles, but it is crucial to continue efforts to guarantee fair and independent justice for all Congolese citizens