Fatshimetry – May 13, 2024
The publication of the Sacred Union ticket for the final office of the National Assembly sparked strong criticism and divisions within the Congolese political sphere. The national deputy and honorary minister, Steve Mbikayi, expressed his indignation through social networks, denouncing a power game where personal interest takes precedence over the general interest.
In the words of Mbikayi, the presidium of the Sacred Union establishes itself as a privileged group serving itself before truly serving the nation. Appointments within the office of the National Assembly seem to respond to personal and family interests, leaving aside any impartiality and meritocracy.
The allocation of key positions to relatives of members of the presidium raises questions about the transparency of the process and respect for democratic principles. The lack of consultation with the presidents of political parties and groups, as well as the ignorance of certain political sensitivities within the National Assembly, testify to a worrying authoritarian and oligarchic drift.
In reaction to this situation, a protest movement began to emerge among national and provincial deputies, refusing to submit to decisions taken arbitrarily. The linguistic and regional diversity of the country seems to be put aside in favor of a logic of control of power by a restricted elite.
This political tension within the Sacred Union risks not only weakening the cohesion of the presidential majority, but also endangering the very foundations of Congolese democracy. The mobilization of deputies and senators from different regions of the country in favor of more inclusive and fair governance suggests a possible change of direction in the political negotiations to come.
In short, citizen resistance is necessary in the face of a political-institutional system which seems to yield to the interests of a minority to the detriment of the popular will. The future of Congolese democracy will depend on the ability of political actors to put aside their personal ambitions to prioritize the general interest and social justice. The challenge that now arises is to reaffirm the values of transparency, equity and respect for institutions to rebuild together a better and more harmonious Congo.