From the incursion of the Rwandan army into the east of the DRC to the media outing of Alexis Tambwe Mwamba on the nationality of Moïse Katumbi, including the adoption of the new configuration of the DRC budget for the financial year 2024, the week which has just ended was rich in significant events.
In the eastern region of the DRC, massacres were carried out by a column of Rwandan troops, signaling a further escalation of violence in the region. Faced with this situation, some are questioning the relevance of continuing to observe the ceasefire and are instead pleading for a firm response from the Congolese army. It is emphasized that the DRC has accumulated evidence of Rwanda’s involvement, but that these convictions were not enough to disarm the enemy. Thus, some believe that unilateral observation of the ceasefire is counterproductive and that more resolute measures must be taken to ensure the security of the Congolese population.
In the political domain, requests for invalidation of the candidates for the presidency of the DRC were submitted to the Constitutional Court, in particular those targeting Moïse Katumbi and Félix Tshisekedi. This situation calls into question respect for the separation of powers and some believe that this aims to discredit the electoral process by excluding certain candidates. They call for all candidates to be evaluated in the same way, without discrimination.
Alexis Tambwe Mwamba’s media outing on the nationality of Moïse Katumbi sparked strong reactions. Some believe that this statement, coming from a former minister of justice, aims more to destabilize the power in place than to reestablish the truth about Katumbi’s nationality. They also highlight the lack of consistency from Mwamba, who had already made a similar statement five years ago when he held a government position. Some therefore see this media release as a political maneuver rather than a desire to shed light on the question of nationality.
Regarding the DRC budget for the 2024 financial year, the adoption of a new configuration was carried out by the National Assembly. However, some highlight the gap between this budget and the realities on the ground. They believe that combined efforts are necessary so that budgets better reflect the real needs of the country.
Finally, the Congolese government adopted a strategic plan to eliminate cholera by 2027. This plan, validated by the steering committee of the National Coordination of Action for Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, aims to fight against this disease which is prevalent in many regions of the DRC. However, some question the feasibility of this plan, given the precarious living conditions in which a large part of the Congolese population finds themselves..
In conclusion, the past week has been marked by many important events in the DRC. The incursion of the Rwandan army, the invalidations of presidential candidates, the controversy over the nationality of Moïse Katumbi, the new configuration of the budget and the efforts to fight against cholera are all subjects which have sparked debates and questions within the Congolese population. It remains to be hoped that these events can lead to positive progress in resolving the problems facing the country.