Today marks an important anniversary for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the current constitution turns 18. This is the opportunity for Professor Jean-Louis Essambo, dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Kinshasa, to emphasize the importance of understanding this fundamental text for all Congolese. During a conference, he recalled the constitutional duty of public authorities to translate this constitution into the four national languages, in order to facilitate its access to all.
According to Professor Essambo, the constitution represents much more than a simple legal text: it is a social pact, an agreement between citizens, a rule of the political game and an essential norm for the survival of the State. Unfortunately, even 18 years after its promulgation, many Congolese do not fully understand its content. It therefore underlines the responsibility of public authorities, but also of each citizen, to ensure that the constitution is correctly interpreted and respected.
As a professor of constitutional law, Jean-Louis Essambo calls for better dissemination and explanation of the constitution to students and the general population. He insists that the constitution must be accessible to all, and that its interpretation must not be left to chance. In this sense, it encourages academics to play an active role in the teaching and clarification of this founding text for Congolese democracy.
This reminder of the importance of the constitution of the DRC by Professor Essambo underlines the urgency of a better understanding and application of this essential document for the entire population. In celebrating these 18 years of existence, it calls for a real commitment from all stakeholders to guarantee respect and protection of the democratic principles enshrined in this fundamental text.