Constitutional reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: an opportunity for change?
For some time now, rumors of a possible constitutional reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been making a splash. Some scholars, experts and politicians openly express their desire to see a new constitution replace the current one. But is this really the solution to remedy the ills that afflict the country?
The DRC, well known for its wealth of natural resources, faces many political, economic and social challenges. Despite an existing Constitution that is full of generous and revolutionary laws in all areas, the country struggles to effectively apply these texts.
The repeated political crises, the embezzlement of public revenues and the rapid and unjustified enrichment of the various elites in power are all consequences of this non-compliance with legal texts, in particular the Constitution.
In this context, some consider that a change of constitution could be the solution. However, it is important to remember that the problem does not lie solely in the constitutional text, but in the inability of political actors to respect and implement existing laws.
Changing the constitution without changing mentalities and political practices will not break the deadlock. As Gandhi said so well, “start by changing in yourself what you want to change around you”. It is essential to promote a political culture based on integrity, transparency and respect for democratic principles to truly improve the governance of the country.
Rather than focusing on constitutional reform, it might be wiser to focus efforts on establishing effective control and sanction mechanisms to ensure compliance with existing laws. This would require a profound reform of institutions, a fight against corruption and the active involvement of civil society in the political process.
In conclusion, the question of constitutional reform in the DRC remains open. If it can be an opportunity to reshape institutions and strengthen democracy, it is essential to emphasize that real change will not come only from a new constitutional text, but above all from a political will to respect and apply the laws. existing