**Mass release of detainees at Makala Central Prison in the DRC: a first step towards fairer justice**
Since the start of the detainee release operation initiated by Justice Minister Constant Mutamba, Makala Central Prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen more than 2,550 prisoners regain their freedom over the past two months. The latest wave of releases, including more than 1,500 detainees, took place last weekend. According to the minister’s spokesperson, Yves Kisombe, this initiative aims to ensure compliance with the law regarding detention.
This commendable action to decongest the Makala penitentiary center has sparked mixed reactions within Congolese society. While the release of detainees is a first step towards fairer justice, many observers stress that it remains crucial to improve detention conditions in DRC prisons. The authorities must take concrete measures to prevent arbitrary detentions in the future.
In this context, a citizen debate was held with Jean Claude Katende, national president of the African Association for the Defense of Human Rights (Asadho), under the moderation of Marcel Ngombo Mbala. The discussions focused on the progress made and the challenges to be met in terms of respect for the rights of detainees.
At the same time, the Congolese political class is facing a delicate situation with the aggression of the DRC by Rwanda via the M23 rebel movement. Martin Fayulu, president of ECIDE, advocates a national dialogue under the aegis of religious leaders to strengthen national cohesion and protect the territorial integrity of the country. This proposal meets with reservations within the opposition, particularly with the new momentum of Adolphe Muzitu, who raises the need to clarify the modalities and issues of such a dialogue.
The initiative to organize a national political dialogue in the DRC is sparking a lively debate among political actors and the population. While the search for consensual solutions is essential to ensure the stability of the country, the process must be transparent and guarantee the participation of all political actors in accordance with democratic principles.
In sum, the release of the detainees in Makala and the prospect of a national political dialogue underline the urgency of deep reforms to consolidate the rule of law in the DRC. These initiatives mark a first step towards a more just and equitable society, but their success will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders to work together for a better future for the Congolese people.