On this day of August 19, 2024, a meeting of great importance took place at the residence of the President of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe. Indeed, a delegation from the Platform of Religious Confessions went to his home to discuss a crucial initiative: the inclusion of a budget line for the Electoral Integrity and Mediation Commission (CIME) in the 2025 budget.
At the head of this delegation, Archbishop Ejiba Yamampia, President of the Platform of Religious Confessions, accompanied by Idryss Katenga, President of CIME, expressed the desire to see this specialized structure have official financial support in order to continue its essential actions in the electoral process. The objective of CIME is clear and noble: to prevent, manage and mediate conflicts related to elections to guarantee a transparent and peaceful electoral process.
This approach goes beyond a simple financial request. Indeed, the Platform of Religious Confessions also aspires to establish a framework for regular exchange with the National Assembly. This collaboration aims to enable religious confessions to make their significant contribution to the debates and decisions concerning the future and challenges of the nation.
The response of the President of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe, was marked by attention and commitment. Recognizing the importance of the role of CIME in the electoral process, he welcomed the partnership between Religious Confessions and the Congolese Government for the promotion of democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He encouraged the delegation to develop a detailed budget for the operation of CIME, in order to present it to the Economic and Financial Commission of the National Assembly for consideration.
In addition, Vital Kamerhe expressed his support for the idea of establishing a framework for regular exchange between elected officials and Religious Confessions, thus recognizing the importance of dialogue and collaboration in building a democratic and inclusive society.
This meeting between the Platform of Religious Confessions and the National Assembly demonstrates the commitment of civil society actors and political institutions to strengthen the transparency and legitimacy of electoral processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It underlines the importance of cooperation between the different stakeholders to ensure free and fair elections, an essential foundation of democracy.