In the heart of the city of Kalemie, a crucial debate is raging among municipal councilors, who are ardently pleading for their emoluments to be managed by the central government rather than the provincial level. This request, based on the legitimate concern for a fair distribution of resources, is raised with great vigor and determination.
Municipal councilors thus express their deep concern about the possibility that their remunerations will be subject to local political influences, rather than to an impartial and homogeneous framework provided by the central government. They fear that under the aegis of provincial governors, their salaries could be subject to arbitrary fluctuations, dependent on the circumstances and partisan preferences of the moment.
In addition, local elected officials question the legitimacy of the retrocession of funds intended for their emoluments, highlighting notable irregularities in this process. Indeed, the distribution of resources from common interest taxes remains opaque and subject to significant delays, directly impacting the financial stability of municipal councilors. The latter emphasize that the last retrocession received dates back seven months, highlighting the difficulties encountered in obtaining their income regularly and predictably.
Thus, the Kalemie councilors are demanding not only more transparent and equitable management of their emoluments, but also formal recognition of their commitment as local representatives. In a context where the autonomy and responsibility of decentralized territorial entities are at the heart of political issues, these elected officials seek to guarantee a sound and equitable administration of finances, thus ensuring a democratic exercise and quality local representation.
In a recent official message, the Vice-Minister of Customary Affairs urgently called on provincial governors to facilitate the working environment of municipal councilors and to guarantee adequate management of their emoluments, integrated into the national retrocession circuit of funds intended for decentralized territorial entities. This injunction underlines the strategic importance of ensuring optimal working conditions for municipal councilors, and recognizing their crucial role in local governance.
In short, the request of the municipal councilors of Kalemie for centralized management of their emoluments reflects a legitimate concern for justice, integrity and financial autonomy in the exercise of their functions. Their advocacy for a structural and transparent reform of the distribution of financial resources constitutes an essential step towards fairer and more efficient local governance, thus meeting citizens’ aspirations in terms of representativeness, transparency and public accountability.