The Congolese state treasury is having difficulty financing certain government priorities, which could harm the ongoing electoral process. This is the observation made by the Center for Research in Public Finance and Local Development (CREFDL) in a press release published on June 20, 2023. Although the State budget is estimated at $16 billion, only $4 billion has been mobilized at the end of May. According to the Central Bank of Congo, the state coffers had only $223.9 million at the same period.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) is expecting about $434.9 million, or nearly 10% disbursement for the organization of the elections. Faced with this situation, the CREFDL recommends the establishment of a collective budget to direct the necessary funds towards priority expenditure, in particular those related to the electoral process. In addition, the NGO invites the Court of Auditors to audit the funds received by the CENI as part of the 2022 rendering of accounts, the amount of which amounts to more than $500 million.
In short, the Congolese State’s treasury is in difficulty to finance certain government priorities, at the risk of disrupting the ongoing electoral process.