The “Congo Tolingi” project: a social contract for the transformation of the Democratic Republic of Congo
As part of the “Congo Tolingi” project, the “Pona Congo” citizen network organized a social contract restitution ceremony on Saturday July 15 at the municipal stadium in the town of Masina. This initiative, launched on May 19, aimed to collect the concerns of Congolese in the 24 municipalities of the city-province of Kinshasa, as well as in the 35 cities and 145 territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The popular consultations made it possible to identify the main concerns of citizens in several areas. On the political level, participants expressed great disappointment with the current leadership and stressed the need for change. Economically, local entrepreneurship has been neglected, which has created a sense of injustice among the Congolese. Safety and health issues were also raised, with an observation that managers do not make safety and health a sufficient priority. Finally, the issue of education was addressed, highlighting the shortcomings of the current education system.
Following these consultations, twenty commitments were defined in the social contract, which all future candidates must accept if they wish to obtain the support of the Congolese. These commitments cover in particular the political, economic, security, social and educational fields. The “Congo Tolingi” project is now entering its second phase, which aims to make more Congolese aware of this social contract and to encourage the participation of all political actors and institutions.
The current year is of capital importance, because it marks the renewal of leaders. According to Floribert Anzulini, spokesperson for the project, it is essential that political and public debates focus on the real problems that Congolese people encounter on a daily basis. Elections are therefore an opportunity to choose leaders capable of solving these problems and respecting the commitments of the social contract.
The “Congo Tolingi” project does not stop at the elections. Accountability mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that elected leaders deliver on their commitments. Citizen participation will play an essential role in this democratic process.
In conclusion, the “Congo Tolingi” project represents a promising initiative for the transformation of the Democratic Republic of Congo. By giving citizens a voice and allowing them to actively participate in defining development priorities, this social contract will help build a better future for all Congolese. It is now up to future candidates and institutions to commit and respect the commitments to meet the aspirations of the Congolese people