The rule of law in the Democratic Republic of Congo: persistent challenges
Since coming to power more than four years ago, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has been committed to reforming his country’s judicial system. Unfortunately, despite its efforts, the establishment of the rule of law is struggling to materialize. In a recent interview, the Head of State expressed his disappointment with the mixed results of his justice initiatives.
Felix Tshisekedi considers justice to be the pillar of the nation. However, he regrets that the Congolese judicial system has rather contributed to the destruction of the country. He claims to have done everything possible to make his vision understood by the heads of the judicial institutions, but deplores the lack of cohesion and collaboration between the various stakeholders.
The Congolese president is often accused of instrumentalizing justice for political ends, in particular by carrying out arbitrary arrests to silence dissenting voices. However, he denies any involvement in these cases and insists on the importance of the independence of the judiciary.
Félix Tshisekedi, however, recognizes the dysfunctions and controversial judicial decisions that arouse the population’s mistrust of justice. He recalled during a meeting of the Council of Ministers the importance of rationalizing the action of justice to strengthen public governance and the rule of law. He also asked the Superior Council of the Judiciary to take appropriate measures to regulate and discipline the judiciary.
The need for justice reforms in the DRC is also underlined by President Tshisekedi. He asserts that the judiciary needs to be reorganized and improved to guarantee a fair and impartial administration. With this in mind, he instructed the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals to work in collaboration with the Superior Council of the Judiciary to propose rapid and effective solutions.
In conclusion, despite President Félix Tshisekedi’s desire to reform the Congolese judicial system and establish the rule of law, many challenges persist. Controversial court decisions and accusations of instrumentalization of justice fuel public skepticism. It is crucial that concrete measures are taken to strengthen the independence and efficiency of the judiciary, in order to restore the population’s confidence in the Congolese justice system