The historic meeting of the Joint Commission between the Government of the Republic and the National Inter-Union of Public Administration (INAP) marked the start of the debates this Monday, November 11, 2024 in the village of Venus, Bibwa district, in the commune of N’Sele. This meeting, chaired by Jean-Pierre Lihau Ebua, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Civil Service, Modernization of the Administration and Innovation of Public Services, reflects the desire of the stakeholders to work towards improving the working conditions of Congolese civil servants and transforming the public administration.
The main objective of this ambitious initiative is to build a more efficient public administration oriented towards serving citizens. At the end of the work, three major results are expected: a thorough review of the specifications of public officials to adequately meet their needs, a complete evaluation of the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding to identify effective actions and those to be improved, and the adoption of a new roadmap integrating concrete and achievable measures for the career management and remuneration of civil servants.
This approach also aims to assess the progress made since the signing of the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding, a major agreement that established priorities for the working conditions of public officials, including remuneration, retirement and social security. Despite significant progress, adjustments are essential to ensure effective implementation of the agreement.
Jean-Pierre Lihau Ebua’s committed remarks underline the government’s firm commitment to continuing reforms aimed at transforming and consolidating public administration in the Democratic Republic of Congo. President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi’s vision for a modernized, efficient and transparent administration is at the heart of this approach, with the ultimate goal of providing quality services to citizens, with competent staff working in optimal conditions.
At the same time, new themes are emerging, such as the need to update regulatory texts, as well as the importance of efficiently managing tenure and promotion processes. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing current concerns and finding concrete solutions. INAP also presented an updated specification, detailing the needs and expectations of agents, which will serve as a basis for discussions during this Joint Committee.
The plenary and subcommittee work organized this week will allow for an in-depth analysis of the various issues addressed, including the crucial question of remuneration and social benefits, retirement conditions and the well-being of public officials. These discussions will be an opportunity for representatives of INAP and the government to propose pragmatic solutions and issue relevant recommendations aimed at strengthening the Congolese public administration.
In a context where the performance and transparency of the administration are major issues, this Joint Commission is of capital importance for the future of public administration in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By working together, the government and INAP will be able to consolidate the progress made, define new perspectives and guarantee a public administration at the service of citizens and the country as a whole.