The recent decree issued by the governor of Tshopo, Paulin Lendongolia, regarding the composition of the new provincial government has sparked a wave of reactions among the population, particularly regarding the representation of women. With only two ministerial positions allocated to women out of a total of 10, criticism is rife regarding the underrepresentation of women in the provincial executive.
Despite repeated calls for greater inclusion of women in decision-making bodies, the low representation of women in this new government has disappointed many inhabitants of the region, highlighting a setback in the promotion of women’s rights in the Tshopo province. The women of Kisangani, in particular, are expressing their discontent with this situation.
Claudine Béla, provincial coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH/Tshopo), clearly denounces the lack of consideration for Tshopo women in this ministerial composition. In addition, Maître Grâce Komba, coordinator of the NGO Geco Juridique, which specializes in women’s and children’s rights, expressed her indignation at the fact that proposals for greater female representation had been ignored.
The population’s reactions go beyond simply noting this situation. Many Kisangani residents expressed concern about the effectiveness of the Provincial Assembly in defending the interests of the population and exercising control over the activities of the provincial government. The need for civil society, journalists and citizen movements to remain vigilant about the management of the province was stressed, highlighting a growing need for transparency and accountability.
The population’s expectations of the new provincial government are high, particularly with regard to security, precarious living conditions, access to essential services such as water and electricity, as well as the rehabilitation of urban infrastructure and agricultural roads. It is crucial that this provincial executive works seriously to meet these expectations and contribute to real progress for the benefit of the entire population of Tshopo.
In short, this new composition of the provincial government of Tshopo raises essential questions about the representation of women and the effectiveness of local governance. It is imperative that the authorities take these concerns into account and work actively to improve the participation of women and the quality of services offered to the citizens of the province.