In the political landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo, upheavals and expectations still arouse as much interest and reactions. Recently, the discontent expressed by certain elected officials and party leaders who are members of the parliamentary majority caused a lot of noise following the formation of the Judith Suminwa government. The discussions between the Head of State Félix Tshisekedi and the President of the National Assembly Vital Kamerhe have therefore taken on capital importance in responding to these questions and expectations.
One of the points of contention concerns the province of Maniema which initially seemed absent from the composition of the government. Vital Kamerhe affirmed that measures will be taken to rectify this omission, thus reassuring the MPs concerned. He also announced the start of consultations with the different political forces represented in the National Assembly and the government, with the aim of finding consensual solutions to the various concerns.
MPs from Maniema province have expressed their disappointment at the absence of representatives from their region within the government. This frustration was also manifested in other political groupings which were not taken into account in the formation of Judith Suminwa’s cabinet. These tensions and demands call into question the representativeness and balance of Congolese political institutions.
The late publication of this government, almost five months after the inauguration of President Tshisekedi, raises questions about the delays in setting up government bodies and the effectiveness of the majority coalition in the National Assembly. The differences and adjustments made within the cabinet illustrate the tensions and power games that drive the Congolese political scene.
In this complex context, it appears clear that the management of regional aspirations and political balances remains a major challenge in ensuring the stability and legitimacy of democratic institutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The next steps, in particular the presentation of the government’s action program to the National Assembly, will be crucial to assess the cohesion and capacity of this new executive to respond to the country’s challenges.
Ultimately, this situation reveals the internal tensions and representativeness issues at the heart of the Congolese political system. Listening to the demands of the different provinces and dialogue between political actors appear to be essential elements for strengthening the legitimacy and effectiveness of the institutions in place.