** The PPRD in the face of the Congolese crisis: a reflection on the governments of national unity and the current state of the country **
The Congolese political landscape is in turmoil, particularly in the face of the rise in security and humanitarian tensions, especially in the east of the country. In a statement released on March 5, 2025, the People’s Party for reconstruction and democracy (PPRD) clearly expressed its rejection of the idea of a government of national unity as a response to these crises. This position, although revealing internal tensions, raises deeper questions about the very structure of governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its long -term consequences.
### Refusal of the National Union solution: a historical failure
The PPRD is not the first to express doubts about the effectiveness of governments of national unity. Historically, the DRC has tried this approach several times since its independence in 1960, without significant success. Union governments, such as that implemented in 2003 after the civil war, were often criticized for their inability to solve fundamental problems such as endemic corruption, lack of infrastructure, and precarious security. Indeed, so far, no coalition of this type has resolved the serious political and social crises that gnaw at the country.
In 2020, data from the National Institute of DRC statistics indicated that 70% of the population lived below the poverty line, an enlightening figure that reveals the extent of the economic problems that persist despite the changes in governance. The promise of a government of national unity then seems to be more an illusion than a real solution.
### PPRD and humanitarian reality
Beyond the question of governance, the PPRD underlines the deterioration of the living conditions of the Congolese, in particular the millions of internal displaced people fleeing the armed conflicts. According to statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the DRC had around 5.6 million people displaced in 2023, a figure that has almost doubled since 2017. These alarming figures highlight the huge challenge that the country faces both humanitarian and secure.
In parallel, the PPRD’s political bureau expressed a firm position against foreign interference. This raises the question of national sovereignty and the urgency of a broader debate on the DRC relations with its neighbors, in particular with regard to the exploitation of resources in conflict zones, often subject to external interests. Recent tensions with Rwanda and Uganda, which some analysts consider the repercussions of the quest for natural resources, highlight the complexity of the situation.
### Towards a new vision of Congolese politics
Instead of clinging to proven models of failure, the moment seems conducive to considering alternatives that would take advantage of a civil society approach, local communities, and even technological innovations. For example, participatory governance initiatives could legitimize decisions by integrating the votes of the Congolese into an open dialogue. In addition, investing in local development programs could help rebuild trust in government, often perceived as disconnected from popular realities.
Such an approach could be inspired by decentralization policies that have succeeded in other countries in sub -Saharan Africa. For example, Ghana experienced political stabilization after having implemented decentralized reforms that strengthen local governments. This could also mean implementing participatory monitoring systems where the citizens themselves can alert the authorities to local problems, allowing faster reactivity to crises.
### Conclusion
The establishment of a government of national unity in the DRC might seem at first glance to be a logical solution to appease the present tensions. However, the rejection of this idea by the PPRD underlines the imperative need for a deeper reflection on the governance model which has prevailed so far. While the country continues to face disproportionate challenges, it is crucial to explore new and inclusive avenues, which combine security, humanity and economic development, in order to ensure not only lasting peace, but also a prosperous future for all Congolese. The answer to these crises could reside not in unification at all costs, but in the construction of a true participatory democracy which promotes the well-being of each citizen.