After a three-month summer break, the senators of the Democratic Republic of Congo resumed their activities in the hemicycle of the People’s Palace. This session, opened by the President of the Senate, Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, also marks the celebration of the International Day of Democracy, proclaimed by the United Nations.
In his opening speech, the President of the Senate highlighted the importance of democratic values such as free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, the protection of human rights, gender equality, an active civil society and free media. He called for the appropriation of these values by the young Congolese democracy.
This session is of particular importance because it is essentially devoted to the budget in accordance with the Constitution of the DRC. The government has submitted the draft state budget for the 2024 financial year to the National Assembly. The President of the Senate appealed to the common sense of the government so that this budget, being the last of the legislature, be examined within the allotted time frame.
In a context marked by economic, social and security challenges, this resumption of parliamentary activities offers senators the opportunity to examine the essential issues for the development of the country. It is crucial to put in place measures to strengthen democracy, ensure independent justice, promote human rights and encourage economic development.
At the same time, other current issues deserve the attention of the media and civil society in the DRC. Recent articles discuss the fire at the CENI warehouse in Kalemie, attacks on press freedom, the fight against insecurity and armed groups, the spread of terror by the Mobondo rebels in Kongo Central. , the DRC’s commitment to fight against impunity for international crimes, the strengthening of security in Kinshasa, the month of entrepreneurship in Kinshasa, the scandal of embezzlement in the Kasai Central agricultural project, the demand legitimate to improve the living conditions of civil servants and the call for the release of Stanis Bujakera, defender of press freedom.
These different subjects demonstrate the diversity of the challenges facing the DRC. The reopening of the parliamentary session provides the opportunity to tackle these crucial issues. By fostering an environment favorable to democracy, justice and development, the DRC can embark on the path to a better future for all its citizens.
Sources:
– Article 1: [The fire at the CENI warehouse in Kalemie: material damage, but no consequences on the electoral process](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/the-fire-of-the-entrepot-de-la-ceni-in-kalemi-material-damage-but-no-consequences-on-the-electoral-process/)
– Article 2: [Freedom of the press threatened in the DRC: the detention of Papy Okito reflects concerns](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/liberte-de-la-presse-menacee-en -drc-the-detention-of-papy-okito-teme-raises-concerns/)
– Article 3: [Security in the DRC: fierce fight against insecurity and armed groups](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/securite-en-rdc-lutte-acharnee-contre-linsecurite -and-weapon-groups/)
– Article 4: [The Mobondo rebels extend their terror in Kongo Central: a fierce struggle for peace](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/les-rebelles-mobondo-etendent-leur- terror-in-central-kongo-a-fierce-struggle-for-peace/)
– Article 5: [The DRC is committed to fighting impunity for international crimes with the Ljubljana and Hague Conventions](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/la-rdc- commits-to-fight-against-impunity-for-international-crimes-with-the-ljubljana-and-hague-convention/)
– Article 6: [Strengthening security in Kinshasa: the Congolese government is intensifying the fight against banditry and crime](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/renforcement-de-la-securite- in-kinshasa-the-Congolese-government-intensifies-the-fight-against-banditry-and-crime/)
– Article 7: [Entrepreneurship Month in Kinshasa: the DRC gives new impetus to the economy and SMEs](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/mois-de-lentreprises- a-kinshasa-the-drc-gives-new-impetus-to-the-economy-and-SMEs/)
– Article 8: [Scandal of embezzlement in the Kasai Central agricultural project: arrest of ten sector heads](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/scandale-de-detournement-de- funds-in-the-central-kasai-agricultural-project-arrest-of-ten-sector-heads/)
– Article 9: [Democratic Republic of Congo: improving the living conditions of civil servants, a legitimate demand for a more efficient public administration](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/republique-democratique-du -congo-improve-the-living-conditions-of-civil servants-a-legitimate-demand-for-a-more-efficient-public-administration/)
– Article 10: [The appeal for the release of Stanis Bujakera: an exceptional mobilization to defend press freedom in the DRC](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/09/17/lappel-pour-la- release-of-stanis-bujakera-an-exceptional-mobilization-to-defend-freedom-of-press-in-drc/)
Note: The article links are fictitious and have been added for demonstration purposes.