Fatshimetrie, a committed and impartial media outlet, reports a tense political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Jean-Pierre Bemba recently expressed his support for a targeted revision of the Constitution to improve governance, without fundamentally altering the State. This position has sparked strong and diverse reactions within the Congolese political class.
The Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) has expressed its support for a broader institutional transformation, calling for a thorough reform of the system in place. On the other hand, the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has strongly criticized Jean-Pierre Bemba’s statements, calling them “belligerent and unworthy of a statesman”. This position highlights the growing tensions at the heart of the country and highlights deep differences of opinion as to the direction to take for the future of Congo.
Jean-Pierre Bemba’s statements also brought to light accusations of mismanagement of public funds against CENCO, accused of embezzlement in the management of resources allocated by the State for social projects in the dioceses. In response, CENCO refuted these allegations by providing precise details on the use of the funds, demonstrating their allocation to concrete projects in the interest of local communities. It said it was ready to submit its accounts to an audit by the General Inspectorate of Finance to remove any suspicion of embezzlement.
In a statement, CENCO reaffirmed its prophetic role and its desire to defend the national interest by opposing any constitutional revision deemed detrimental to citizens. The Church stressed its commitment to justice and transparency, positioning itself as a countervailing force against attempts to destabilize its actions and reputation. She called on Jean-Pierre Bemba to provide tangible evidence to support his accusations, recalling the importance of the veracity of facts in public debate.
This complex political situation denotes crucial issues for the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The debates around the constitutional revision and the accusations of embezzlement highlight the deep divergences that animate the Congolese political scene. It is essential that these controversies be treated with rigor and fairness to guarantee stability and democracy in the country.