The States General of Justice that began on November 6 in Kinshasa are attracting particular attention as they raise crucial issues for Congolese society. At a time when the judicial system of the Democratic Republic of Congo is described as “sick” by many observers, these meetings represent a major turning point in the quest for a deep and essential reform.
Under the evocative theme “Why is Congolese justice described as sick? What therapy to face this disease?”, the actors of justice, but also of society as a whole, are challenged. These reflections are intended to be salutary, because it is indeed the credibility of an entire system that is at stake.
The observation is unequivocal: the evils that gnaw away at Congolese justice are numerous and deep. Corruption, cronyism, impunity, slowness and inequity characterize a judicial universe gangrened by dubious practices and glaring dysfunctions.
The Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, underlines the urgency of an in-depth diagnosis of this sick institution in order to develop bold and courageous solutions. The Estates General are thus intended to be the scene of a detailed examination of the problems and the formulation of concrete recommendations for a more equitable and efficient justice system.
This event mobilizes more than 3,500 actors from all components of the justice system, thus demonstrating the scale of the challenges to be met. The participation of civil society, parliamentarians, the executive and decentralized entities is crucial to ensure an inclusive and participatory approach.
The previous Estates General of Justice in 2015 had highlighted the structural failures of the Congolese judicial system. However, the bitter observation reveals that only a few recommendations have been implemented, thus allowing endemic evils to persist.
In this sense, the current Estates General represent a unique opportunity to break with a past made of unfulfilled promises. The political will and determination of justice stakeholders will be determining factors in breathing new life into a key state institution.
In conclusion, the Estates General of Justice in Kinshasa are a crucial step in the quest for in-depth reform of the Congolese judicial system. Beyond speeches, it is the concrete implementation of courageous and effective measures that will restore citizens’ confidence and restore the credibility of the judicial institution. The road ahead will be arduous, but the hope for fair and impartial justice remains more relevant than ever in a country seeking stability and justice.