** Strike in Maniema: an energy crisis revealing the dysfunctions of the public sector in the DRC **
For more than ten days, the province of Maniema has been plunged into darkness, a situation that highlights the weaknesses of an energy management system already weakened by financial and organizational problems. The strike of agents of the AURIFER Society of KIVU and Maniema (SAKIMA), linked to recurring unpaids, led to the suspension of the activities of the Rutshurukuru hydroelectric power station, leaving the population without electricity and opening a reflection on the deeper ailments which undermine the management of resources in the DRC.
** An alarming situation for the population **
Electricity is not only an essential service but also a development engine. In a province like Maniema, where the economic fabric is already fragile, the lack of electricity for more than a week is a blow for local businesses and households. The appeals to rescue generators, who remain the only response of the SNEL (National Electricity Society) to the situation, only increase the costs for the population, already confronted with precarious living conditions.
The Sakima, responsible for providing electricity to the SNEL, seems to be stuck in internal problems whose late resolution exposes the flaws of unrearable governance. The declaration of the provincial director of the SNEL, presenting himself as “victim” of this crisis, raises questions: how to explain that a public enterprise, regularly receiving funds, does not manage to ensure the payment of the wages of his agents?
** A dichotomy between central management and local reality **
A striking observation is the management of the high bodies of the Sakima, which, according to several sources, remain based in Kinshasa, far from the realities of the field. This geographic and decision -making discrepancy undoubtedly contributes to a release of those responsible for the urgent situation in the Maniema. This alleged distance management is symptomatic of a broader problem within Congolese institutions, often criticized for their disconnection with regional issues.
The elected official of Kindu, Ngongo Kitenge, highlights another fault: the lack of transparency in the management of allocated funds. If the payments of the SNEL are made, their non-retrocesses to the agents of Sakima feeds a crisis of confidence. Through a comparative analysis with other Congolese provinces, including Haut-Katanga where similar initiatives have been set up to ensure transparency in the energy sector, it is plausible to affirm that Maniema could benefit from practices inspired by these models.
** An opportunity to rethink the energy sector **
This crisis, although unacceptable by its immediate consequences, can offer a golden opportunity for the overhaul of the energy sector in the DRC. Indeed, the country is full of hydraulic and mining resources which could be more exploited not only to meet the needs of the population, but also to support sustainable economic development. The relocation of Sakima frames to Maniema, as proposed by Kitenge, could also be the first step towards a more anchored management in the realities on the ground.
Structural reforms, such as the establishment of a payment monitoring and audit system, would be essential to restore the confidence of agents and the population. In parallel, the establishment of partnerships with the private sector could energize the energy infrastructure, diversifying the sources of production and guaranteeing a more resilient approach to the possibility of future crises.
** The path to go **
While the crisis in Maniema continues to take place, a collective awareness seems necessary. Social movements, whether professional or popular, must be understood and understood as calls for responsibility and transparency in resource management. Regionalization, better governance and the perspective of energy as a common good could lead to the Renaissance not only of Maniema, but also of a DRC which aspires to a less chaotic and more constructive future.
In a context where sustainable development issues become crucial, it seems imperative to act now. The lessons to be drawn from this crisis could become the cornerstone of a new territorial and economic dynamic, vital for future generations. It is time for political, economic and civil society actors to combine their efforts to transform this difficult situation into a real opportunity for change.