the citizen's blog
President Tshisekedi met with the secretaries general of the EAC and SADC in New York. The discussions focused on strengthening the SADC mission in the DRC and resolving security problems. A conversion of Kasumbalesa Customs into a one-stop shop was also discussed to promote regional integration and cross-border trade. This meeting marks an important step in President Tshisekedi’s commitment to regional cooperation and the development of the DRC.
The Mboté Hip-Hop Festival, organized in Brazzaville, celebrates Congolese urban culture. This unmissable event, which is in its seventh edition, brings together Congolese and Ivorian artists in an electric atmosphere. On the IFC stage, artists from the group Street Art Congo ignited the audience with their captivating performance. Among the artists present, Bak-Dan, Hip-Hop star, used his music to raise awareness about the dangers of hemp consumption. The festival offers a real platform of expression to emerging artists and confirms its place in the cultural scene of Brazzaville.
The Congolese Minister of Justice, Rose Mutombo, participated in the 26th meeting of COMESA Ministers of Justice in Zambia. She discussed important regional topics such as the creation of a regional investment agency. She also met with her Zambian counterpart to discuss bilateral issues such as the situation of Congolese detained in Zambia. The two ministers agreed to strengthen judicial cooperation and promote the reintegration of Zambian detainees into the national economy. This participation marks the DRC’s commitment to strengthening its relations with neighboring countries in the judicial field.
The article highlights the arrest of Pierre Kayondo, suspected Rwandan genocide perpetrator, in France. The accusations against him are serious, involving his active participation in the organization of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. This arrest demonstrates the importance of universal jurisdiction in the fight against impunity for crimes against humanity. However, the collective deplores the delay taken by French justice in processing these cases. Despite this, Kayondo’s arrest represents an important step towards justice for the victims of the genocide and sends a strong message to suspected genocidaires hiding in France and elsewhere in the world. However, much work remains to be done to bring all those responsible to justice and heal the wounds caused by the genocide.
The shortage of biometric passports in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a problem that concerns citizens. Due to the obsolescence of the current operator’s equipment, passport production is considerably reduced. The government announced that a new operator would take over next month and that capture centers would be opened in different regions of the country. However, the deadlines for obtaining a passport are considerably extended due to the temporary suspension of data capture and printing operations. Additionally, some applicants are forced to pay higher amounts to obtain their passport quickly. Citizens are demanding rapid and effective solutions from the competent authorities to facilitate access to biometric passports within reasonable time frames and at a fair price.
The devastating attack that hit the town of Beledweyne in Somalia caused widespread destruction and resulted in the deaths of several people. A truck full of explosives was used to attack a Somali special forces checkpoint, causing several buildings to collapse. Authorities said at least 13 people lost their lives, while more than 40 others were injured. The victims are mainly innocent civilians, trapped in this cruel tragedy. Although the attack has not yet been claimed, it comes in a context where the Somali government is leading an offensive against the Shebab, affiliated with al-Qaeda. Beledweyne is in a crucial region of this offensive. Despite the efforts of the Somali armed forces and the support of the UN and the United States, the terrorist threat persists in the country. The Somali president expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to fighting against Shebab. This tragic attack highlights the importance of supporting the Somali government in its efforts to restore security and stability to the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) wants to industrialize the country by launching into the production of electric batteries, particularly for electric vehicles. This represents an attractive investment opportunity for foreign companies. By exploiting its natural resources, such as copper, cobalt, lithium and manganese, the DRC can create added value and local jobs. In addition, this would contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the fight against climate change. President Tshisekedi called on foreign investors to financially and technologically support the creation of an electric battery production factory. This initiative marks a turning point in Congolese industrial policy and opens up new investment prospects in the electric battery sector.
In his speech to the UN, the Minister of Civil Service of Burkina Faso, Bassolma Bazié, denounced the hypocrisy of Western powers, in particular France, and expressed his dissatisfaction with the blocking of the armaments promised to his country . He highlighted the contrast between the support given to Ukraine and Burkina Faso’s frustrating wait in the face of armed and terrorist groups. Faced with this situation, the country is seeking to ensure its own security by diversifying its partnerships and turning to other countries such as Russia, Iran and Cuba. This speech highlights the need for African countries to promote international cooperation based on equality of partners and mutual respect. It is a call to action for greater autonomy and sovereignty of African countries in matters of security.
The controversy surrounding the results of the December 2018 DRC presidential election continues to make headlines, with contradictory statements coming from the current president, Félix Tshisekedi, and the former president of the CENI, Corneille Nangaa. Tshisekedi denied any involvement in political maneuvering, while Nangaa recalled the political agreement which allowed the peaceful transfer of power. However, Nangaa is under sanctions over election-related corruption allegations. This controversy highlights the challenges that the DRC faces in strengthening its electoral transparency and consolidating its democracy. Thorough investigations are needed to resolve allegations of fraud and corruption and maintain the country’s stability.
Teachers at the University of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo are protesting against years of non-payment of salaries and precarious living conditions. They demonstrated to demand the payment of unpaid salaries and denounce the lack of consideration of managers towards their profession. If no action is taken by 2024, the consequences will be drastic. It is urgent that the government takes measures to remedy this situation and guarantee fair working conditions for university teachers.