The presence of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralization and Customary Affairs, Peter Kazadi, in Isiro on July 31 made the debates resonate in the rich province of Haut-Uélé. Governor Christophe Baseane Nan is now at the center of accusations of embezzlement, following a report from the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) revealing several irregularities in his management.
Since the publication of the IGF report last April, allegations of misappropriation of public funds have weighed heavily on the governor of Haut-Uélé, Christophe Baseane Nangaa. The population mobilized to challenge its governance and demand accountability. Banners denouncing him and demanding justification for the $61 million not traced by the IGF were visible during the Deputy Prime Minister’s visit. Slogans hostile to the governor and in favor of the fight against corruption and embezzlement were also chanted by the demonstrators.
The IGF report, addressed to the governor, shows various cases of embezzlement, including the pre-allocation and diversion of toll revenues, the use of tax revenues without supporting documents, unjustified bank loans, and irregularities in the retrocession of central government funds. Significant sums are at stake, involving millions of US dollars and Congolese francs. In addition, the former Minister of Human Rights and elected representative of the province denounces the absence of concrete achievements, such as the construction of roads, during the mandate of Christophe Baseane Nangaa.
The situation in Haut-Uélé therefore raises serious questions about the governance of the province and highlights the importance of fighting impunity and promoting the rule of law. While popular protest strengthens and pressure on the governor intensifies, the population supports the fight against corruption initiated by the President of the Republic.
It now remains to be seen how the authorities will react to these accusations and whether measures will be taken to hold the governor of Haut-Uélé to account. In the meantime, the population continues to demand transparency and good management of public funds in the province. The visit of the Deputy Prime Minister thus made it possible to rekindle the flame of the fight against corruption in this rich region of Congo.