### A new directive on the suspensions of public agents: analysis and perspectives
On April 11, 2025, at the 39th meeting of the Congolese Council of Ministers, President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi announced a significant measure concerning the management of public agents in portfolio companies and public establishments. This change, which now requires that any suspension decision be approved beforehand by the Head of State, arouses complex reflections on governance, transparency and socio -political climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
#### Context and objectives of the measurement
The initiative of President Tshisekedi intervenes in a context marked by an exacerbated socio -political agitation, in particular because of the Rwandan aggression through the rebellion of the M23 and the internal tensions which agitate the public sector. The observation put forward by the president, according to which there are frictions on the management of disciplinary actions, underlines a deep problem: the need for a balance between the duty to account for and respect for the rights of the agents.
The explicit objective of this new directive is to ensure that the suspension of public agents is carried out in complete transparency and in accordance with the texts in force. This raises several questions: does this centralization of power really promote a serene working environment, or does it create administrative slowness likely to compromise the efficiency of public institutions?
#### A strategy for reducing frustrations?
Some observers perceive this measure as a means of limiting frustrations within the Congolese political landscape. By involving the Head of State in each suspension decision, the presidency can cap tensions and maintain a certain level of control over decisions that could worsen conflicts within the public administration.
However, this strategy can also raise concerns about the independence of institutions. Centralization of decisions could be perceived as an obstacle to the capacity of management bodies to exercise their responsibilities, potentially resulting in paralysis in certain situations where rapid action is necessary. The question could then be asked: how to find a balance between the necessary control and the autonomy of institutions?
### Training and prevention of abuse
In addition to this directive concerning suspensions, President Tshisekedi encouraged the Prime Minister to organize training sessions on disciplinary procedures to avoid abuse. This initiative is crucial, because it aims to strengthen the skills and knowledge of the rules.
Nevertheless, the implementation of these training courses will require resources and an authentic commitment of all the actors concerned. This also raises the question of whether these sessions effectively affect structural problems in depth or if they only deal with symptoms of a larger discomfort.
#### Regards to the future: towards a deeper reform?
The measure taken by Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi presents itself as a first step towards a commitment to responsible governance. However, it should also be thought of as an opportunity to reflect on a broader reform of the public sector. Indeed, how to guarantee not only compliance with rules, but also promote a culture of responsibility, integrity and respect for rights in the administrative system?
The issues are multiple. On the one hand, there is the need to protect employees from arbitrariness, guaranteeing fair justice. On the other hand, there is the urgency to make public institutions more effective and reactive in the face of the growing challenges that arise.
### Conclusion
In short, the decision of the Tshisekedi president to establish a prior control over the suspensions of public agents represents a turning point in the management of public enterprises in the DRC. If this directive aims to establish more transparency and to avoid abuses, it also raises questions on the autonomy of institutions and on the efficiency of public administration. The path to improved and more responsible governance still seems sown with pitfalls, but these debates highlight the importance of a collective commitment for the strengthening of state structures and for the appeasement of the socio -political climate.
It is essential that this measure is accompanied by constructive initiatives and a desire for inclusive dialogue to promote a climate of trust between the different actors of the country. In this dynamic of change, it is imperative not to lose sight of the structural challenges. Only deep reforms, carried out by a clear and sincere collaboration between the government, public enterprises and civil society, will really be able to shed light on governance in accordance with democratic values and the needs of the population.