The economic and social situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to deteriorate. According to the Front Commun pour le Congo (FCC), an opposition platform, the fall of the Congolese franc against foreign currencies is the worst in the country’s history. Direct consequence, a surge in the prices of basic necessities which leads to a loss of purchasing power for the Congolese.
The FCC, led by those close to Honorary President Joseph Kabila, also denounced the “chaotic” management of the country characterized by the rise of tribalism, embezzlement of public funds, corruption and illicit enrichment. In addition, this opposition condemned the recurrent violations of the fundamental rights recognized to all human beings, to the press, to the opposition and to civil society.
The peaceful demonstration organized by the opposition bloc formed by Martin Fayulu (ECiDé), Matata Ponyo (LGD), Moïse Katumbi (Ensemble pour la République) and Delly Sesanga (Envol) was disproportionately repressed by the Congolese National Police, sparking outrage and public outcry. The government, political parties of all persuasions, citizen movements and the international community strongly denounced this repression.
The FCC called on the international community to be impartial by sanctioning the sponsors and executors of these violations. For pro-Kabila political actors, the judiciary is in the pay of the Tshisekedi regime, which makes litigants more insecure.
Despite investment projects and initiatives taken by the government, the road to sustainable economic and social development in the DRC still seems long. The continued deterioration of the country’s social and economic situation is a source of concern for the Congolese and for the DRC’s partners.