Recent events concerning the deliberations of the Estates General of Justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo have provoked strong reactions from four magistrates’ unions. The latter expressed their dissatisfaction with the conduct of the proceedings and expressed doubts as to the achievement of the objectives set for this crucial meeting.
In a joint press release published on 11 November, the Autonomous Union of Magistrates of Congo (Synamac), Independent Justice (Jusi), the Christian Union of Magistrates of Congo (Synchremac) and the Union of Magistrates of Congo (Symco) deplored the manner in which the work was conducted, pointing out several irregularities that hindered the smooth running of the debates.
It is undeniable that the primary objective of the Estates General of Justice was to carry out an objective assessment of the ongoing national justice reform policy and to identify the actions needed to improve the administration of justice. However, the theatrical atmosphere that surrounded these meetings seemed to sideline the true nature of the issues and challenges facing the Congolese judicial system.
On the eve of the closing of the work, it is crucial to analyze in depth the press release of the magistrates’ unions in order to understand the points of friction and discontent that emerged during these general meetings. By giving the floor to key actors such as Me Yves Kisombe, lawyer and spokesperson for the Minister of Justice, Henri Dianda, Secretary General of the Intersyndicale des Magistrates, and Alidor Tshibanda, specialist in Political Science, it will be possible to obtain a more nuanced and complete vision of the situation.
It is essential to highlight the fundamental issues underlying the demands of the Congolese magistrates and to draw up an objective assessment of the progress of the work so far. The involvement of different actors from the judicial and academic sectors will provide relevant insights into the structural challenges facing justice in the DRC.
In short, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth and nuanced analysis of the current situation of the States General of Justice in the DRC, taking into account the legitimate concerns of magistrates and highlighting the essential issues for the future of the Congolese judicial system. Only an inclusive and multidisciplinary approach will make it possible to identify the challenges to be met and to propose suitable solutions for a fairer and more efficient administration of justice.