“2019-2023 Legislature: Political challenges and low legislative productivity in Congo”

Title: “An eventful legislature: Analysis of parliamentary activity 2019-2023”

Introduction :
The 2019-2023 legislature was marked by political upheaval and low legislative productivity. According to a report by the Ebuteli Research Institute, entitled “Talatala”, almost 80% of the legislative proposals tabled in Parliament have not been adopted. In this article, we will analyze the reasons for this situation and highlight the impact of these events on the Congolese political scene.

Eventful context:
The 2019-2023 legislature witnessed many political upheavals. The reconfiguration of the parliamentary majority, the boycott of the adoption of the law on the distribution of seats by the opposition, the dismissal of Jeanine Mabunda and the Minister of the Economy Jean-Marie Kalumba, as well as the invalidation of deputies “absenteeists” marked this period. In addition, the controversial endorsement of the judges of the Constitutional Court sparked strong tensions and debates within the National Assembly.

Low legislative productivity:
Regarding legislative production, the Ebuteli Institute report highlights that the greatest number of proposals adopted (8) was carried out during the last session in September 2023. However, during the 27 months of ordinary sessions, the National Assembly has rarely exceeded the bar of five bills adopted per session. In total, out of the 100 initiatives tabled by deputies, only 21 legislative proposals were adopted, i.e. an implementation rate of 21%.

Government legislative initiatives:
The report also reveals that the government adopted 94 bills, in addition to the 61 extensions of the state of siege established since 2021. This marked difference between the legislative initiatives of deputies and those of the government raises questions about the effectiveness and cohesion within the Congolese Parliament.

Consequences for the political scene:
This low legislative productivity and political upheavals have a significant impact on the Congolese political scene. Citizens’ expectations are often disappointed due to the low number of laws adopted, which can lead to a loss of trust in institutions. Furthermore, these turbulent political events can contribute to increased polarization between different political actors and affect the stability of the country.

Conclusion :
The 2019-2023 legislature was characterized by political upheaval and low legislative productivity. The many turbulent political events have made it difficult to pass proposed laws, which has impacted citizens’ trust in political institutions.. It is crucial to learn from this experience and work towards better cohesion and collaboration between different political actors for better legislative productivity and lasting political stability.