Democratic developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have sparked lively debates within civil society in recent days. Indeed, during the recent social days of the Center for Studies for Social Action (CEPAS) in Kinshasa, committed actors pleaded for a reform of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).
One of the main demands expressed by these non-state actors is the appointment of a public service professional at the head of the CENI, rather than entrusting this responsibility to political figures. According to them, this measure would strengthen the independence and impartiality of the body responsible for organizing the elections.
Furthermore, participants in the CEPAS social days stressed the importance of transparency and inclusiveness in the electoral process in the DRC. They denounced the tampering practices and the lack of representativeness within the CENI, highlighting the risks of privatization of democracy by a small group of people in power.
For Alain Nzadi-a-Nzadi, Director of CEPAS, it is essential to strengthen citizen participation between electoral cycles, to promote democratic values and to guarantee social justice. He also called for better management of funds allocated to the CENI, in order to ensure transparent traceability of expenditure.
Civil society activists also called for a ban on the accumulation of political mandates, the abolition of substitutes and the promotion of ethics in Congolese political life. They stressed the need to strengthen collective responsibility and citizen engagement to promote true democracy in the DRC.
In conclusion, the recommendations issued during these CEPAS social days aim to revitalize the democratic ideal in the DRC. In partnership with academic institutions and civil society organizations, these committed actors highlight the crucial issues for a truly representative and inclusive democracy in the country.