Title: “The Democratic Republic of Congo launches its new national identity card: a step towards secure and reliable identification”
Introduction :
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken an important step in its identification process with the official launch of its new national identity card. During a ceremony organized in Kinshasa and chaired by the Head of State Félix Tshisekedi, the first model of card was given to the President himself, symbolizing the beginning of a new era in terms of identification of Congolese citizens. . In this article, we will dive into the details of this major breakthrough, the reasons behind its realization and the impacts it could have on Congolese society.
A security and reliability issue:
For nearly 40 years, the DRC had not carried out a scientific census of its population or modernized its identification systems. This has created many problems, both in terms of security and the reliability of the identification data. In order to remedy this situation, the Head of State Félix Tshisekedi has made the granting of a secure identity document a priority of his mandate. Thus, the National Office for the Identification of the Population (ONIP) was charged with setting up a modern and reliable national identity card.
The setup process:
The launch of the new national identity card is the result of a collaboration between several Congolese institutions. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has, for example, transferred to ONIP and the National Institute of Statistics (INS) the enrollment systems, cartographic data and collection equipment. This memorandum of understanding ensures the pooling of identification and general population census operations. The roll-out of the identity card will begin with the city of Kinshasa, which will serve as a pilot model for the rest of the country.
The advantages of the new identity card:
This new identity card offers multiple advantages for Congolese citizens. First of all, it is equipped with advanced security features, which makes it difficult to counterfeit and guarantees the authenticity of the information it contains. Secondly, the card will allow better management of public services and facilitate access to social rights and benefits. In addition, it will facilitate administrative procedures, such as opening a bank account or obtaining official documents.
A step towards modernization and digital inclusion:
Beyond the security aspect, this new identity card also marks a step towards modernization and digital inclusion in the DRC.. Indeed, it can serve as a real identification tool in the various online transactions, thus promoting access to digital services and economic opportunities. This will help strengthen the country’s digital economy and reduce the digital divide that still exists.
Conclusion :
The launch of the new national identity card in the DRC marks an important step in the process of identifying Congolese citizens. This advancement will strengthen the security and reliability of identification data, while promoting modernization and digital inclusion. Thanks to this card, citizens will be able to benefit from public services and social benefits more efficiently, and participate actively in the booming digital economy. The country thus acquires an essential tool to guarantee the identity of its citizens and contribute to its socio-economic development.