In this turbulent political period in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a new controversy has stirred up the corridors of power. Former Congolese Prime Minister Matata Ponyo recently sent an incendiary letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, vehemently demanding payment of a colossal sum of $1.9 million owed to his research firm, Congo Challenge.
This payment request follows several contracts signed in November 2020 for studies commissioned by the government, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB). Matata Ponyo claims that the refusal to pay this sum by former Finance Minister Nicholas Kazadi was motivated by political considerations related to his own candidacy in the 2023 presidential election. He denounces this refusal as “morally unacceptable”, highlighting the financial harm suffered by his firm and highlighting underlying political tensions.
According to the former Prime Minister, the funds intended for these studies, which were to support the Budget Support Program in response to the Covid-19 crisis (PABRC), were allegedly “diverted” within the Ministry of Finance, thus discrediting the management of public resources. Matata Ponyo insists on the need to regularize this situation with the advent of the new government, calling for an act of good faith to restore the honor of the Republic and respect contractual commitments.
The Congo Challenge firm, headed by Matata Ponyo, has successfully conducted four studies deemed satisfactory by both the Congolese authorities and the AfDB. This request for payment highlights the complex issues of public management and underlines the importance of integrity and transparency in collaboration between the government and private actors.
In a tense political context where individual rivalries and ambitions intertwine with the country’s economic and social issues, this case illustrates the challenges faced by political and economic actors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also highlights the importance of responsibility and accountability in the management of public affairs, calling for concerted action to ensure justice and fairness in the treatment of public-private partnerships.