Political news in the DRC: The extraordinarily ordinary congress of the UDPS
In the Congolese political landscape, the UDPS (Union for Democracy and Social Progress) occupies a predominant place. Recently, the party held its extraordinarily ordinary congress, a landmark event for the future of the party and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, if holding a congress may seem to be an opportunity for debate and differences of opinion, it seems that the UDPS has opted for another approach. Indeed, the congress was marked by unfailing unanimity, where every voice was raised to support the son of the party’s founder, President Félix Tshisekedi. This unanimity is reminiscent of the congresses of the past, where supporters unconditionally lined up behind their leaders.
But is this a sign of a radical change in internal democracy within the party, or simply a manifestation of the patrimonial nature of Congolese political parties? Looking at political practice in other parties in the country, it becomes clear that the UDPS is not an isolated case. Congolese political parties often tend to be rigid and centered around the person of the president, who holds near-absolute power over the party.
This patrimonial logic is also reflected in the organization of political parties, where the party headquarters is often the personal property of the president. Thus, everything is thought out and orchestrated according to the stature of the leader, relegating internal debates to the background.
However, it is important to note that a few rare exceptions to this rule exist, where internal pluralism and discussions are encouraged. These parties are exceptions in the Congolese political landscape, and they could serve as an example to promote a real democratic debate within the parties.
It is therefore necessary to question this tendency towards unanimity which characterizes Congolese political life. If the extraordinary congress of the UDPS once again showed this reality, it is important to stimulate debate and diversity of opinions within political parties in order to guarantee a truly representative internal democracy.
It is time for Congolese political parties to adopt more open and inclusive practices, where the voice of each member counts and where decisions are not made unilaterally. It is only by promoting a real democratic debate within political parties that the Democratic Republic of Congo will be able to move towards a solid and lasting democracy.
Times are changing, and it is necessary that Congolese politics also evolve to adapt to the aspirations of the population and the demands of modern democracy.. The extraordinarily ordinary congress of the UDPS was an opportunity to reflect on these issues, and it is now up to Congolese political actors to take concrete measures to promote real internal democracy within political parties.