** The Prime Minister’s visit to Tshikapa: towards a sustainable development strategy? **
On Tuesday, May 27, Judith Suminwa, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, made an inspection visit to Tshikapa, chief town of Kasai province. This first official release since its appointment testifies to the attention that the central government relates to local issues, but also raises questions about the effectiveness of commitments made in the face of complex systemic challenges.
### An inventory at the heart of vital infrastructure
The visit consisted of a route through several strategic sites, including the Loange bridge, the Tshikapa General Reference Hospital and various road sites. Each of these infrastructures raises issues that go far beyond their simple material condition. Take the Loange bridge, which connects the provinces of Kasai and Kwilu. The Prime Minister mentioned the dangers linked to erosion and insufficient infrastructure maintenance, thus highlighting the need for rigorous planning in the development of infrastructure. The flood of the Tobi river, having already caused disasters, calls for sustainable solutions to avoid a disaster that would not only affect mobility, but also the local economy.
It is imperative to wonder if the government has the appropriate resources and mechanisms to apply these solutions. Judith Suminwa stressed the importance of mobilizing funding to salvaguard these vital infrastructure. However, the question of access and effective management of resources remains crucial in a country where needs are immense and often priority.
### An alarming health situation
The visit to the Tshikapa General Reference Hospital revealed a worrying table. The deficiencies in terms of equipment and medical staff are manifest. Judith Suminwa has recognized the lack of equipment such as scanners and the need to strengthen the capacities of health structures. The difficulties of remuneration of health professionals are added to this already delicate equation.
This observation also raises the more general problem of universal health coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo. If free maternity is a step forward, the challenges of equipment and the attraction of professionals remain crucial. What measures will be implemented to ensure that promises do not translate into simple commitments, but in concrete and effective policies?
### Development and security context
Another dimension discussed by the Prime Minister concerns security, especially in the east of the country. With a 1.7 % drop in the national budget due to security tensions, the government is at a crossroads: how to ensure the continuity of public services while responding to an increasing security emergency? This balance is all the more precarious since it requires a holistic approach integrating both development issues and security issues.
The impact of conflicts on economic and social development poses a challenge for regions like Kasai, where infrastructure is already weakened and where the population expects concrete results. Political speeches must echo in tangible actions that reassure citizens on government intentions.
### Conclusion: a desire to act to verify
Judith Suminwa’s visit to Tshikapa has revealed crucial issues for the development of the province. By asking questions about the viability of infrastructure, public health and security, it seems to be aware of the complexity of these challenges. However, the scope of its commitments and the ability to transform promises into a tangible reality remains to be evaluated.
It will be essential to observe in the coming months how the central government will articulate its response to these issues, and above all, how it will imply local actors in this dynamic. In the end, the success of this mission will be measured not only by the actions implemented, but also by their real impact on the daily life of the inhabitants of Tshikapa and, by extension, on the entire DRC.