Category: Politics

The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has called on Congolese to be vigilant during the general elections scheduled for next December to ensure transparent elections. The bishops stressed that the credibility of the results would depend on the vigilance of the populations and called on the Congolese not to elect the opportunists. They also insisted on not leaving the polling stations before the results were posted to avoid any attempt at fraud. The upcoming elections will be an important test for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Bishops have called for the caution and vigilance of all Congolese to ensure the smooth running of the electoral process and the election of truly elected leaders.

The political climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo is deteriorating as elections approach. The bishops of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo have denounced the decline in the rule of law in the country and the repression of the opposition. Opponents were arrested and their residences searched. The opposition mobilized to demand fair and transparent elections, but the security forces brutally suppressed the demonstrations. The country also faces other challenges such as armed violence, human trafficking and sexual violence in sports.

The Mobondo militia, which has been terrorizing the west of the country for a year, recently extended its attacks to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Catholic bishops condemned the extension of this militia and also drew attention to another militia, the Special Brigade of the UDPS, which terrorizes the population of Kinshasa. Victims number in the hundreds, with entire villages burned and thousands displaced. The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is critical and requires urgent intervention by the authorities to protect citizens and put an end to the activities of the armed militias that are ravaging the country.

The last ordinary session of the National Assembly in the Democratic Republic of Congo ended without debate on the “Tshani” law. This law, which limits access to certain sovereign positions, will be on the agenda during the next session in September. The “Red card against human trafficking and sexual violence in sports” campaign has aroused the commitment of many sports actors and the Congolese government. The province of Kasai Central faces a major concern to strengthen security. The Democratic Republic of Congo continues to face a major humanitarian crisis with more than 6 million displaced people.

On Friday June 23, 2023, Jean-Claude Vuemba Luzamba resigned as President of the Kongo-Central Provincial Assembly following a petition signed by 30 of his fellow provincial deputies. He expressed his love and patriotism for his province and called for collective responsibility. This unexpected resignation is an important event for the province of Kongo-Central and will be followed closely.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been going through a security and political crisis for several years, as the final report of the United Nations group of experts recently confirmed. The UK called for respecting the ongoing regional peace processes to get out of this crisis. The situation in eastern DRC remains very worrying, although the regional force EACRF has managed to recover some rebel strongholds. The political situation is also deteriorating a few months before the general elections, while the financing of the electoral process is difficult. Despite everything, commitments have been made to fight against gender-based violence and human trafficking in sport, and to participate in the summit for the global financial compact.

General elections in the DRC are scheduled in six months and the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) notes the deterioration of the political climate. Although initial positive actions have been noted, such as the opening of political and media space, the release of prisoners and the return of exiles, the Catholic bishops report a regression characterized by violence during opposition demonstrations , restrictions on the movement of opponents and arbitrary arrests. Opponents are busy demanding fair and equitable elections as the economic and social situation worsens. The authorities should take urgent measures to ensure unhindered elections and to improve the living conditions of the Congolese population.

The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) urges the Congolese people to be vigilant and responsible regarding the general elections scheduled for next December. CENCO Bishops call for credible elections and for leaders to be elected by the people and not bought off or corrupted. They advise the Congolese not to elect opportunists or those who engage in dubious practices. CENCO also advises citizens to remain in voting centers until the results are posted to avoid manipulation and promote political transparency.

On May 14, 2023, the Roads Office (OR) announced the end of construction work on the Mulowe bridge which connects the provinces of Maniema and Lomami. The central government has invested a lot in the construction of this bridge in order to improve the road infrastructures of the neighboring provinces and to facilitate their connections. However, despite this good news, the situation in the DRC remains tense with a deadly militia attack in the west of the country and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Some good initiatives have nevertheless been launched, such as the awareness campaign on sexual and reproductive health among displaced women in Bulengo.

Police fired tear gas at the protesters and arrested 12 people, including three journalists. The rebels must leave the territories of Rutshuru and Nyiragongo provinces before Sunday.