The future of public accounts management in the Democratic Republic of Congo seems to be at the heart of the concerns of political leaders. Indeed, Senator Salomon Idi Kalonda recently made a sensational statement calling for sanctions against the perpetrators of mismanagement, non-execution of certain expenditures and under-execution of the law on accountability for the year 2023.
This announcement is not insignificant. It highlights the budgetary slippages and possible embezzlement of public funds that may have taken place, thus depriving the provinces and decentralized territorial entities of vital resources. The Senator’s call for sanctions is structured around three major axes: a political sanction, a judicial sanction and an administrative sanction.
The political sanction, such as a vote of no confidence, would target the ministers still in office, thus making them face their responsibilities. The judicial sanction, whether they are still in office or not, would allow fair justice for the reprehensible acts committed. Finally, the administrative sanction would be aimed at all actors involved in the expenditure chain who have committed mismanagement.
This initiative aims to clean up the management of public finances and establish a culture of accountability within the government. Indeed, the envisaged sanctions could have a dissuasive effect on possible future abuses, thus ensuring greater transparency and more efficient use of public funds.
Following the debate in the Senate, the President of the institution referred the draft laws relating to the 2023 accountability report and the 2024 supplementary budget to the Economic and Financial Committee for in-depth examination. This approach demonstrates the authorities’ desire to ensure rigorous and transparent financial management, in line with the aspirations of the population.
Furthermore, the National Assembly recently set up an investigation mission to verify the destination of funds spent under the 2023 accountability report law. This initiative reinforces the desire to fight corruption and restore citizens’ trust in public institutions.
In conclusion, the fight against embezzlement and bad practices in the management of public accounts is a major challenge for the DRC. The sanction measures proposed by Senator Salomon Idi Kalonda and the actions undertaken by the institutions demonstrate a desire for transparency and accountability, essential for the economic and social development of the country.