On the second day of the work of the Estates General of Justice in Kinshasa, a tense and studious atmosphere reigned among the participants, determined to highlight the crucial issues of the Congolese judicial sector. The lively discussions focused on the urgent need to continue the reforms initiated and especially to rigorously apply the texts in force, an arduous task in a country where political will is often lacking in execution.
The observation made in the report presented in plenary session highlighted the persistent shortcomings linked to the lack of follow-up of the resolutions of the 2015 Estates General, highlighting the urgency of revitalizing the reform process to guarantee fair and effective justice.
Among the notable interventions, that of Dieudonné Kamuleta, President of the Constitutional Court and the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM), caught the attention of the audience. Addressing the sensitive issue of correcting material errors in electoral disputes, he stressed the crucial importance of ensuring the integrity and legitimacy of electoral processes to preserve social peace and respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.
His recommendations aimed at limiting the number of post-election appeals and raising awareness among political actors to accept electoral results sparked a lively debate among participants. By emphasizing the importance of training the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), he highlighted the need for increased expertise and skills to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Beyond the specific issues of electoral disputes, the discussions during these general meetings highlighted the need for in-depth reform of the Congolese judicial system, in order to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, combat corruption and impunity, and guarantee equitable access for all citizens to rapid and fair justice.
These rich and constructive debates highlighted the crucial importance of the commitment of all actors, political, judicial and civil society, to make Congolese justice a solid pillar of the rule of law and democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo.