In the troubled region of North Kivu, more precisely in the Maisisi territory, the population lives in a situation of great precariousness, finding itself almost between a rock and a hard place. This reality was highlighted by a manager of a local development NGO who recently returned from the area. In terms of security, it is alarming to note that the inhabitants find themselves at the mercy of the rebels, but also of the Wazalendo armed groups who impose their law according to the areas they control. This permanent instability plunges the community into a climate of uncertainty and daily fear.
At the same time, on the economic level, the situation is no more favorable. A downward trend in the prices of local food products is observed, while manufactured products show a significant increase in their prices. This economic disparity accentuates the difficulties faced by the local population, directly impacting their purchasing power and quality of life.
Furthermore, the Minister of Finance recently reported on the execution of the budget for the 2023 financial year. The figures presented reveal that the budget was executed at around 92% in revenue and over 96% in expenditure. It is important to note that institutions and salaries swallowed up more than 70% of the budget, with overruns well over 150%. This financial management raises questions about the efficiency of the distribution of resources and transparency in their use.
In parallel, a meeting between the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA), customs declarants and members of the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC) Ituri took place recently. The discussions on customs issues and the challenges faced by cross-border trade stakeholders undoubtedly helped to identify avenues for reflection to strengthen collaboration and improve procedures.
In Kindu, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the oil companies operating in the region and the provincial government. This agreement aims to regulate the payment of taxes and royalties, thus creating a more stable and transparent framework for economic activities in the oil sector in the province.
Finally, in a desire for transparency and communication, the CEO of SAEMAPE was invited to speak on the current issues and development prospects of the company. His intervention surely provided clarification on the company’s current actions and future projects.
In short, the current situation in North Kivu, particularly in the Maisisi territory, highlights the multiple challenges facing the local population, whether in terms of security, economy or financeIt is essential to put in place concerted and effective measures to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants and promote sustainable and inclusive development in the region.