The IX Games of La Francophonie in Kinshasa in 2023 are making great strides and the Director of the International Committee of the Games of La Francophonie (CIJF), Zeina Mina, said she was satisfied with the progress of the work. She stressed that the DRC has seen big and that the work meets the standards. The Judo and freestyle room is ready and the bleachers are installed. The Martyrs stadium has a natural lawn in good condition and the seats are in the colors of the DRC flag. The interior works at the 20 May stadium are well advanced and the synthetic turf will soon be installed.
These games have been postponed twice due to Canada’s withdrawal and the Covid 19 pandemic. Despite everything, the Congolese Minister of Infrastructure, Alexis Gisaro, reassured the Congolese that the games will indeed take place in Kinshasa.
While waiting for the games, there are other headlines in the DRC, including the increase in mob justice brutality in Beni in the east of the country. The Catholic Church has called for an urgent assessment of the state of siege in the DRC in order to guarantee the safety of the population. However, the ruling party is threatening to boycott the elections without a consensual independent national electoral commission.
However, there are initiatives to boost economic development in the DRC, such as the Chrisnovic project which aims to diversify the national economy. There are also control missions to ensure the application of subcontracting rules in the DRC, such as that of BRALIMA.
In short, preparations for the Games of La Francophonie are progressing well and the DRC is working tirelessly for its economic and social development despite the persistent challenges.