Category: Challenges

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has adopted a draft law on the distribution of electoral seats which will soon be sent to parliament for adoption. Legislative, provincial, municipal and local elections will be held with a specific number of seats per constituency. The results of the revision of the electoral register have been taken into account, however the territories affected by insecurity have not been included in this preliminary draft. The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) welcomed this new measure, stating that this adoption is an important step for the DRC.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Security and Customary Affairs in the Democratic Republic of Congo presented a report on the state and administration of the national territory during an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers. The report highlights in particular the surrender of 279 insurgents as well as recent events such as the activism of M23/RDF terrorists and the resurgence of the Kuluna phenomenon in major cities. The security situation in the country remains worrying and is regularly discussed in the latest articles published on the DRC blog.

China and the Democratic Republic of Congo have entered into a strategic partnership that intensifies their cooperation in the areas of investment, financing, infrastructure and mining cooperation. China also wants to encourage its companies to invest in the development of the new energy battery value chain in the DRC. This partnership will facilitate trade and investment between the two countries as well as contribute to the economic and social development of the region.

This article chronicles the tumultuous events of the BIAC bank in DR Congo, in particular the accusations of financial embezzlement brought against Michel Losembe, the bank’s former general manager. His recent rehabilitation marks the end of a complex investigation. However, the liquidation of the bank remains a major challenge in DR Congo and highlights the challenges faced by financial institutions in the country. The Congolese government must work to ensure better governance in the banking sector.

In his exhibition at the Malabo gallery in Kinshasa, the painter Patsheli Kahambo insists on the importance of work to obtain luck. According to him, one should not wait for things to fall from the sky but rather sweat to succeed. His vision of the famous expression “Chance eloko pamba” encourages perseverance and taking control of one’s destiny. The paintings also present the trades of the Congolese city, with a highlighting of women taxi-motorcycle drivers, with the aim of encouraging the population to face the difficult context of Kinshasa.

Vehicle drivers on the Butembo-Kisangani road via Ituri have launched a strike to protest against the insecurity resulting from attacks by Ugandan rebels of the Democratic and Allied Forces (ADF) as well as poor road maintenance. They called for an intervention by the Head of State to solve their problems and asked for the rehabilitation of the Komanda-Luna road. This strike has aroused fears among the inhabitants of the province of Ituri who largely depend on this route to obtain basic necessities. Seven economic operators’ vehicles were set on fire during this strike. It is crucial that the authorities find a solution to restore security on this essential road axis.

Congolese President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi met with Congolese from the diaspora in Beijing. He returned to the community tensions that have persisted for several months in Grand-Bandundu, more specifically to the Teke-Yaka conflict. According to him, these tensions would be the result of maneuvers by Rwanda. Faced with this situation, the President announced political and security measures to bring peace to the region.

The article denounces financial embezzlement and delays in the construction of the Mbuji-Mayi-Kananga road, a project supported by President Tshisekedi to revive the Kasai region in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Doubtful practices are suspected and officials are singled out. Dissension between political leaders only worsens the situation and slows down the development of the region.

The community of Djoru, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is concerned about the incompatibility between the number of voters registered on the antenna of the CENI and that officially published in Kinshasa. The difference of more than 35,000 registered members risks depriving the region of a seat in the national deputy. The spokesperson calls on the government to correct this error before the bill on the distribution of seats in the National Assembly is tabled.

The Superior Council for Audiovisual and Communication (CSAC) has decided to reduce the sanctions imposed on the television channel CML13TV and their guests for the broadcast of a show considered “disappointing”. The channel saw his suspension reduced from 45 to 30 days while the host was suspended for 90 days. The CSAC also decided to impose a 90-day embargo on media broadcasting in Kinshasa on MPs Daniel Safu and Mike Mukebayi. The media performance of the guests was considered to violate the fundamental principles and rules of the journalistic profession. The DRC government is trying to regulate the media more strictly in its territory.