The general states of justice that recently took place in Kinshasa have sparked strong reactions among stakeholders in the judicial sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Organized by the President of the Republic, this event aimed to discuss the challenges and issues facing the Congolese justice system. However, from the very beginning of the work, criticism was heard, questioning the relevance and transparency of this initiative.
The main magistrates’ unions have expressed their pessimism about the ability of these general states to achieve the objectives set. Indeed, several irregularities were noted, including the lack of consultation with the High Council of the Judiciary, the opaque organization of the technical secretariat, the partisan selection of speakers and topics covered, as well as the insufficient support for participants, particularly those from the provinces.
This situation has fueled the discontent of magistrates, who fear that the debates will remain superficial and that the real problems of the Congolese justice system will not be addressed in depth. In addition, the recent history of the previous general meetings in 2015, few of whose recommendations were implemented, reinforces doubts about the effectiveness of these meetings to deeply reform the country’s judicial system.
The NGO Justicia ASBL also spoke out on the conduct of these general meetings, deploring the importance given to politicians to the detriment of the actors directly concerned by the functioning of justice. This warning underlines the risk that these meetings will turn into a political platform rather than a real space for reflection and proposals to improve the situation of justice in the DRC.
Despite the stated desire of President Félix Tshisekedi to address in depth the problems of the Congolese justice system, it seems that the general meetings were hampered by organizational and political dysfunctions. It is therefore crucial that the authorities take into account the concerns of magistrates and civil society actors so that these meetings do not remain a dead letter and truly contribute to effective and sustainable judicial reform.
In conclusion, the general assembly of justice in the DRC must be an opportunity for a genuine constructive and inclusive dialogue between all stakeholders, with the aim of identifying the root causes of the dysfunctions of the judicial system and proposing concrete and sustainable solutions. It is time to place the interests of justice and Congolese citizens at the heart of the debates for an in-depth reform adapted to the needs of the population.