**Haut-Uélé: At the crossroads, between failed promises and buried hopes**
Haut-Uélé, a province with promising resources, is today the troubled mirror of a governance that struggles to embody the hopes of its citizens. The recent analysis of the record of Governor Jean Bakomito Gambu could have been content to evoke unfulfilled promises. However, beyond the fiery speeches and pending development promises, a deeper question arises: how do current political dynamics influence the trajectory of this province, and what lessons can be learned from other similar contexts around the world?
### A Failed State: The Content of a Promise
Election campaigns are often paved with promises: roads, schools and hospitals, infrastructures that symbolize progress. However, once the electoral fever has subsided, many of these ambitions fade away, leaving only the bitter memory of unfulfilled promises. Looking at Haut-Uélé, one could draw a worrying parallel with other regions of Africa, where the gap between citizens’ expectations and the reality of governance is also widening.
Take the example of Mali, where leaders promising security and prosperity have often been confronted with instability, anarchy and corruption. Decision-making chains, which should be synonymous with progress, often get stuck in bureaucracy and clientelism. Could the situation in Haut-Uélé not be improved by taking advantage of the mistakes of other governments?
### Politics and Clientelism: A Return to the Essentials
The mention of close associates of the Governor in governance affairs raises a crucial question: that of omnipresent clientelism. Isn’t the real obstacle to the development of Haut-Uélé this culture of nepotism that chooses to reproduce patterns of mistrust instead of promoting a policy of inclusion? In truth, it becomes essential to analyze the fields of influence and the emergence of a real “system of men” that is more of a state within a state than a vector of development.
Many studies, such as those conducted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), illustrate that countries where clientelism is less present tend to display more balanced socio-economic development. By avoiding this poor governance through favoritism, Haut-Uélé could consider a more inclusive development policy. The creation of partnerships with civil society or private companies could revitalize the local economy and strengthen the social fabric.
### A Reflection on Citizen Engagement
In addition, it is essential to consider citizen engagement as a potentially transformative lever. Indeed, the mobilization of civil society can both represent an alternative to the current deceptive governance and contribute to the emergence of citizens’ voices on the political chessboard. The “yellow vest” movement in France is a striking illustration of this: popular anger that has succeeded in questioning dominant discourses and initiating a public debate on the necessary reforms.
Thus, can we imagine a new dynamic where the population of Haut-Uélé, disappointed but not resigned, gathers around initiatives that are both supportive and inclusive, to forcefully demand meters from their elected officials? Through education, awareness-raising initiatives and collective commitment, residents could claim their rights, fueling the democratic process and making it difficult to sustain a system based on disdain for commitments.
### The Way Forward: A Big Market
Finally, beyond the development of traditional infrastructure, a visionary approach could be to create a dynamic market based on the province’s wealth, such as mineral resources. The establishment of a “Big Market” in Haut-Uélé, as illustrated by the development of Special Economic Zones in East Africa, could encourage foreign investment while boosting the local economy.
In truth, it is not just a matter of waiting for the rain to come and water an already parched land. We must irrigate minds through mobilization, inclusion and creativity. The future of Haut-Uélé should not rest solely on the light of unfulfilled promises, but rather on the hard work and unwavering commitment of its inhabitants. The time to act has indeed arrived, and the population has all the legitimacy to demand a profound transformation – because beyond words, only the reality on the ground will be able to determine the true future of the province.
**Final reflection:** In a world where governments are often caught up in their speeches, true transformation can only come from the union of the voices of citizens who love their rights. Only such an approach will hopefully pave the way for a transformed Haut-Uélé, a flourishing piece of land amidst the buzz of the modern world.
**TEDDY MFITU**
Polymath, researcher and writer / Senior consultant at CICPAR