The city of Kinshasa experienced a turbulent day on June 5, 2023, with an unprecedented strike by taxi and taxi-bus drivers. However, the drivers had alerted the urban authorities for several weeks to the harassment of which they are victims on the part of certain public officials. This strike, which lasted all day, therefore proved the determination of the drivers to fight for their rights.
However, some observers point out that this situation could have been avoided if the governor of the city of Kinshasa, Gentiny Ngobila, had taken into account the demands of the drivers. In addition, some residents of the city reproach this elected official for a lack of concern for the situation experienced by the people of Kinshasa.
Indeed, although Gentiny Ngobila claims to be fighting to offer a second term to President Félix Tshisekedi, he seems more concerned with the organization of political meetings in the city, instead of focusing on the tasks entrusted to him and which impact the life of the inhabitants directly. Many problems, such as the kuluna phenomenon, road traffic disrupted by traffic jams, floods or even the safety of Kinshasa residents in the face of Mobondo militiamen, require rapid action on his part.
The quality of life of the inhabitants of Kinshasa is therefore a crucial issue for the upcoming elections. The esteem of the people of Kinshasa could indeed weigh in the balance for the candidates, while control of the city is considered decisive for controlling the entire country. However, some parties are threatening to boycott the elections in the absence of an independent electoral commission.
Faced with these challenges, many initiatives are emerging, such as the Chrisnovic project for the diversification of the Congolese economy or the mission to monitor the application of subcontracting rules at Bralima.
Despite these initiatives, intercommunal violence and banditry remain major security challenges in the DRC. In addition, some political representatives bury themselves in remarks inciting tribal hatred, such as recently a Congolese deputy who was heard in this context.
In short, the situation in the DRC is complex and requires concrete political actions to resolve the problems encountered by the population. The upcoming elections will therefore be crucial for the future of the country and the lives of its citizens.