In the recent news from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a very important announcement caught everyone’s attention: the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, made a firm commitment to support the implementation of the resolutions of the States General of Justice. This work, which lasted for a period of 10 days, ended on Saturday, November 16 at the People’s Palace, suggesting prospects for major reforms for the Congolese judicial system.
The initial objective of this meeting was clear: to diagnose the ills that undermine justice in the DRC and propose radical solutions to remedy them. In total, no fewer than 359 recommendations were adopted, with the thorny issue of restructuring the High Council of the Judiciary at the top of the list.
However, a lively controversy arose following the suggestion to replace this institution with the High Council of Justice, chaired either by the Head of State or by the Minister of Justice in the event of the President being unable to attend. This change did not fail to provoke reactions of rejection from the magistrates’ unions, represented by an authoritative voice in the person of Edmond Isofa, president of the Autonomous Union of Magistrates and Public Prosecutor. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the work and announced a unanimous position by the unions in the coming hours.
Edmond Isofa’s remarks were relayed in the media, thus expressing the divergence of opinions within the Congolese judicial community. However, some actors in the judicial system welcomed the recommendations made during these general meetings, such as the Inspector General of Judicial and Prison Services, Constant Mutamba, who welcomes the strengthening of his role and prerogatives. According to him, extending the inspector’s power of control to all levels of judicial services is a necessary step forward to guarantee the efficiency and fairness of the Congolese judicial system.
At the same time, lawyers also expressed some relief, particularly with regard to the support of the pro deo lawyer, who guarantees free legal assistance to the most deprived. This resolution, welcomed by committed lawyers such as Mr. John Kavota, demonstrates a strong desire to make justice more accessible and fair for all citizens of the DRC.
These lively discussions and debates during the general assembly of justice in the DRC illustrate the desire to establish deep and necessary reforms to restore confidence in a judicial system often singled out for its lack of efficiency and impartiality.It is now up to the authorities, magistrates, lawyers and all stakeholders in the Congolese justice system to implement these resolutions in a spirit of consultation and dialogue, to build together a fairer and more transparent judicial system serving all citizens of the DRC.