For the past few days, a financial scandal has been rocking the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Moïse Katumbi, a political opposition figure, recently spoke out to vigorously denounce the situation. Indeed, during a conference held on Wednesday evening, he strongly criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for their alleged complacency in the face of dubious practices surrounding the country’s public finances.
The alarming revelations from an accountability report examined by the National Assembly highlighted embezzlement orchestrated by the current Minister of Finance, as well as the lack of transparency and budgetary rigor of the Minister of the Budget. Moïse Katumbi stressed the importance of these revelations, pointing out the seriousness of the situation: nearly half of the budgetary expenditures for the year 2023 were allegedly embezzled through unregulated procedures, without commitments or rigorous liquidations.
Faced with this worrying situation, the opponent called on the IMF and the World Bank to take firm measures against the Congolese government. He stressed the urgency of a reaction from these international institutions, whose continued financial support for the country seems to ignore the real needs of the Congolese population, plunged into an economic and social crisis affecting millions of citizens.
Moïse Katumbi also denounced the repayment of the country’s domestic debt to the tune of 504% of the allocated budget credits, a decision he described as audacious and worrying. He called for an immediate audit of these payments, as well as the publication of the beneficiaries of the amounts received. For him, transparency and the fight against impunity are essential elements to redress the situation and restore confidence in the management of public finances.
In addition, Moïse Katumbi severely criticized the low rate of implementation of the development program for 145 territories, stressing that the provinces remain neglected and deprived of the infrastructure essential to their development. He highlighted the marginalization of rural communities, exposed to poverty, corruption and exploitation, calling for more responsible management of resources and better consideration of local needs.
Moïse Katumbi’s denunciations come at a time when several MPs have also pointed out budget overruns and dysfunctions within institutions. This case raises crucial questions about transparency and rigor in the management of public finances in the DRC, highlighting the urgent need for concerted action to restore citizens’ confidence and ensure equitable and sustainable development in the country.