The Pact for a Congo Found (PCR) is currently attracting a lot of criticism since its launch last week. This new political platform, which is part of the Sacred Union, is accused of dividing President Tshisekedi’s political family.
Faced with these criticisms, the promoters of the PCR wanted to respond publicly by specifying their intentions. According to Julien Paluku, Minister of Industry and one of the tenors of the PCR, their objective is not to provoke a rebellion, but rather to formulate concrete proposals to respond to the development and reform challenges set out by President Tshisekedi . They consider that political actors are necessary to realize the President’s vision and propose political systems and reforms to enable the emergence of the country.
It is also essential to understand the difference between the presidential majority and the parliamentary majority, according to Paluku. The Sacred Union brings together all the forces that supported the election of Félix Tshisekedi, while the parliamentary majority will support the government in its implementation.
However, the PCR faces strong criticism from Jean-Pierre Bemba’s camp, who consider it a rebellion and an anarchist approach. According to Francis Mabanza, executive of the Congo Liberation Movement (MLC), it is incomprehensible to create a majority within the majority and this is seen as blackmail. He believes that the clarification of the political landscape should be done in Parliament.
These criticisms of the MLC are reminiscent of those already formulated by Bahati Lukwebo’s AFDC. Tensions within the presidential coalition are real and the distribution of political forces within the Sacred Union will need to be clarified.
Faced with these tensions, Augustin Kabuya, secretary general of the UDPS and member of the Sacred Union, calls for unity and calm. He recalls that the Sacred Union is an initiative of President Tshisekedi and that all members must support him in this project. He says the creation of the PCR should not create suspicion or divisions within the coalition.
In conclusion, the launch of the Pact for a Congo Found (PCR) arouses criticism within President Tshisekedi’s political family. The members of the PCR defend their approach by emphasizing the need to formulate concrete proposals to meet the country’s challenges. However, these criticisms highlight the tensions within the Sacred Union, which will have to find a balance to move forward in the implementation of the presidential vision.