Title: Lifting of the state of siege in the DRC: the hope of an imminent change
Introduction :
Since May 2021, the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been facing an exceptional regime: the state of siege. However, there is hope that this measure will be lifted soon. During a recent round table in Kinshasa, the question of the evaluation of the state of siege was addressed, arousing optimism among many actors, including Pastor Mathe Saanane, president of the urban coordination of civil society from Butembo. In this article, we will explore the reasons which militate in favor of the end of the state of siege and the hopes it arouses among the Congolese people.
Convincing arguments in favor of lifting the state of siege:
Pastor Mathe Saanane, during the restitution session of the results of the round table, underlined the multitude of arguments put forward in favor of the lifting of the state of siege. According to him, the commission in charge of this question presented more than thirty-three solid arguments, demonstrating the imperative of putting an end to this exceptional regime. Aware of the expectations of the people, these arguments highlight the many failures of the state of siege in the fight against insecurity.
The will of the people and the commitment of the President:
Pastor Mathe Saanane recalls that the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, has always put forward the will of the people. In this context, the President is expected to respond favorably to the expectations of the population by lifting the state of siege. In addition, during the round table, the Prime Minister also took note of the request for the lifting of the state of siege expressed by the majority of the participants. A convergence of opinions which reinforces the hope of an imminent change.
The failures of the state of siege:
Set up to fight against insecurity in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, the state of siege unfortunately failed to achieve its objectives. Levels of insecurity remain high, compromising people’s daily lives and hampering economic development in the region. The lifting of this exceptional measure is therefore perceived as a real necessity to allow the inhabitants to find peace and rebuild their lives.
Conclusion :
The possibility of lifting the state of siege in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri in the DRC is arousing real hope among the population. The many arguments in favor of this measure, the expectations of the people and the observation of the failures of the state of siege reinforce this desire for change. It remains to be hoped that the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, will respond positively to this request and thus allow the inhabitants of these regions to regain the security and stability which are so necessary to them