ALERT: Deputy Minister of the Interior summons members of the bureau of the Kasai-Central Provincial Assembly to Kinshasa
In a worrying and eminently political decision, Deputy Minister of the Interior Eugénie Tshiela Kamba issued a telegram on October 22, 2024, urgently summoning members of the bureau of the deliberative body as well as provincial deputies who had signed a petition against the officials of the Kasai-Central Provincial Assembly. This summons, justified by imperatives of security and preservation of the stability of provincial institutions, has provoked strong reactions and raised questions about its repercussions on the political future of the province.
It is crucial to highlight the particularly tense context prevailing within the Kasai-Central Provincial Assembly, where all members of the bureau are the subject of petitions accusing them in particular of mismanagement. The stakes of this case go far beyond the local framework and are part of a national dynamic, exacerbating political tensions and reinforcing dissensions within the state apparatus.
The suspension of the interim administrative director of the Provincial Assembly, who had called a plenary session to examine these petitions, as well as reports of his possible arrest, suggest a fierce power struggle within the provincial institution. This situation, far from calming internal conflicts, risks on the contrary fanning the flames of discord and further weakening the political system in place.
In this climate of mistrust and uncertainty, the decision of the Deputy Minister of the Interior to question the main actors involved in this conflict constitutes a strong signal from the central executive, which is trying to reaffirm its authority and guarantee the sustainability of provincial institutions. However, this direct interference in the affairs of the province could also be perceived as an attack on the autonomy of decentralized entities and fuel criticism of the excessive centralization of power.
Faced with these worrying developments, it is essential that stakeholders prioritize dialogue and consultation to find consensual and peaceful solutions to this political and institutional crisis. Stability and democracy in the DRC depend on the ability of political actors to overcome their differences and work together for the well-being of the population.
Ultimately, the affair shaking the Provincial Assembly of Kasai-Central highlights the major challenges facing the young Congolese democracy and calls for in-depth reflection on the mechanisms of governance and control of local authoritiesRespect for the rule of law and the separation of powers remains a major challenge for the consolidation of democracy in the DRC and the preservation of social peace.