This week, the Congolese Parliament resumed its work in Kinshasa. MPs have gathered for a session that will run until November 15, when campaigning will begin in preparation for elections to be held at the end of the year. However, this session will be shorter than usual due to the importance given to the elections.
The budget will occupy a large part of the agenda of parliamentarians, who will have to look into the country’s financial and budgetary issues. However, a controversial subject is also on the agenda, namely the proposed law on “Congolity” commonly known as “Tshiani law”.
This bill aims to reserve positions of highest importance in the state, including the presidency, only for Congolese citizens with Congolese parents. Although this project was sidelined in 2021, it was put back on the agenda of the parliamentary session due to its importance. However, according to observers, it is unlikely that it will actually be studied. The priority of this reduced session is indeed the examination of the budget, and it seems that this proposal divides even within the camp in power.
Already criticized at the start of the year by the opposition, civil society and the Catholic Church, this bill has not sparked a change of opinion within the coalition of opponent Martin Fayulu, who considers it always a distraction. According to Prince Epenge, spokesperson for the coalition, there are much bigger problems to address in the country.
This parliamentary session therefore raises expectations regarding the examination of the budget, which will be decisive for the economic future of the country. As for the proposed law on “Congolity”, it is unlikely that it will be examined due to the other priorities and the various resistances it arouses. The coming weeks will therefore be crucial for the Democratic Republic of Congo, both politically and economically.