
President Félix Tshisekedi’s declaration that he has no lessons to learn from anyone in terms of democracy and respect for human rights has provoked strong reactions from the “Filimbi” citizens’ movement. The latter accused the president of resorting to old ways to justify the systematic repression exerted on civil society activists and opponents. The statement also raised a debate about the attitude of the Catholic Church towards power. All of this highlights the tension that currently reigns in the DRC between the government and civil society.