** The Provincial Assembly of Kasai-Central: a striking decision on parliamentary attendance **
On May 29, the Kasai-Central Provincial Assembly made a firm decision by invalidating the mandates of two provincial deputies, Willy Wishiya and Amandus Katanga, due to prolonged and unjustified absences. This approach, although rare in the Congolese political context, raises a certain number of questions on the responsibility of elected officials, the reality of parliamentary work and the representation of citizens.
### A decision taking place in a dynamic of accountability
The notification signed by the president of the deliberative body, Daniel Lubusa, underlines breaches of parliamentary obligations, under the relevant articles of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the internal regulations of the provincial assembly. This choice can be perceived, on the one hand, as an effort of the Assembly to strengthen discipline and attendance within it, but also, on the other hand, as an awareness of the requirements of citizen representation.
The unjustified absences of elected officials may indeed have significant repercussions on the functioning and efficiency of institutions. They can also help fuel a feeling of disappointment among voters, who can question the commitment of their representatives. The assembly’s decision could thus serve as a strong signal to remind elected officials that they have responsibility for those who have mandated them.
### contextualization of the situation
In Kasai-Central, as in other provinces, the question of the absences of deputies is often linked to broader issues. Accessibility difficulties, logistical problems, and even personal constraints can explain, in part, behaviors that raise questions. It is therefore essential to consider these absences not only through the prism of individual responsibility, but also in the context of the real working conditions of the deputies.
Make decisions as strong as a mandate invalidation could thus raise concerns about how these measures are perceived by voters and by the political community. This encourages to question the support and support mechanisms that elected officials could benefit in difficulty, rather than focusing solely on the sanction.
### The implications of this decision
The invalidation of Willy Wishiya and Amandus Katanga mandates could therefore be seen as an act that symbolically strengthens the importance of attendance and commitment. However, it is relevant to question the concrete consequences of this measure. On the one hand, the appointment of substitutes, as announced by Daniel Lubusa, aims to guarantee the continuity of parliamentary work. On the other hand, this situation could also cause instability within parliamentary teams, while the replacement of a deputy is not always without difficulty.
It is also appropriate to reflect on the means of improving communication and dialogue within the provincial assembly. What structures could be implemented so that deputies can explain their absences in a transparent way? Could better attendance management tools be envisaged? These tracks could contribute to a climate of trust between elected officials and the institution, while taking into account the realities they go through.
### Conclusion: towards a collective reflection
The decision of the Provincial Assembly of Kasai-Central, although arose in a context of strict legality and liable, opens the way to a wider reflection on the functioning of institutions and the relationship between elected officials and their voters. The reaffirmation of the duty of attendance is, in this regard, a necessary step, but it could also be accompanied by a search for practical solutions to overcome the challenges faced by deputies.
In the end, the common objective must remain the implementation of a more effective political framework and more in line with the expectations of citizens. Institutions, by strengthening, can promote a more authentic and more responsible representation. Such a dynamic could not only improve the perception of elected officials, but also restore confidence in a population which aspires to dynamic and committed governance.