The Communication Department of the Presidency of the Republic recently collectively dismissed 23 employees without valid reasons, leaving the employees in complete incomprehension and raising concerns. The administrative, social and political reasons, as well as the budgetary aspect, in no way justify this decision. Employees therefore have the right to claim their rights and make their observations known to senior management.
The CENCO-ECC Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) has raised concerns about the call for candidates for the external audit of the electoral register of the Democratic Republic of Congo by the CENI. The EOM raised doubts about the independence of the CENI and the possibility of a biased or manipulated report. She called for the appointment of an independent body capable of carrying out the audit while respecting the conditions preserving national sovereignty. The EOM will release its final report on voter registration on May 15.
The security crisis in eastern DRC is accompanied by a crisis of confidence between the authorities and the troops in East Africa. The Congolese President expressed his frustration with the ineffectiveness of the East African Community Regional Force deployed on the ground. If the results are not satisfactory, the force must definitively leave Congolese territory. The tensions underline the need to seek a lasting political solution to the security crisis and to favor a coordinated approach to restore peace and security in the east of the country. The DRC also faces economic and humanitarian challenges, and must work with international partners to put in place a sustainable development strategy for the Congolese population.
This article deals with the economic situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although the exchange rate of the Congolese currency has remained stable lately, and government spending is under control, the country still faces many challenges to achieve sustainable economic growth. The continuing humanitarian crisis is detrimental to economic growth and it is necessary to encourage foreign investment to create an economic climate conducive to the establishment of businesses.
This excerpt relates the death of Samy Mikobi, nicknamed the “Strategist”, a personality known in Congolese showbiz for his many useful connections in influential circles. Samy Mikobi worked for ACEC and has been a member of Socodam since 1990. He was also close friends with Papa Wemba and honorary Prime Minister and current Vice-President of the Senate Samy Badibanga. His passing left a huge void in Congolese showbiz, and his memory remains as a man of many talents and extensive connections.
The central government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has disbursed CDF 753,225,695,936 or USD 372.6 million to the country’s provinces, representing 45% of the annual budget estimate of CDF 1,661,388,716,346 for 2023. After Kinshasa, the most subsidized province is Kwilu with 63,942,974,930 CDF and North Kivu with 45,037,360,775 CDF. This comes as the country is experiencing a humanitarian crisis in the east, a shortage of corn and seeks to open up to the world with the aim of attracting investors to develop agriculture and diamond mining. The Congolese government has also strengthened its partnership with China while facing a protest from political opponents scheduled for May 20, 2023.
This article extract relates the SACIM affair, a Sino-Congolese partnership which continues to cause controversy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This case allegedly involved the former governor of Kasaï-Oriental, Ngoyi Kasanji, who allegedly took advantage of mining production to support his own interests without paying taxes or taxes. The government has implemented measures to remedy this injustice, but some selfish acts persist. President Félix Tshisekedi encourages foreign investment to develop the country while facing a humanitarian crisis in the east of the country. The question of the equitable exploitation of natural resources thus remains central in the DRC.
“Samy Mikobi, the loss of a Congolese showbiz icon: a look back at the life of a multi-talented man”
Samy Mikobi, emblematic figure of Congolese showbiz and nicknamed “The Strategist”, has left us. His sudden disappearance moved everyone who knew him. Public man and friend of musicians, Samy Mikobi had the ability to socialize with all strata of society, his adaptability was one of the strongest traits of his personality. He left his mark in various structures, notably at ACEC and Socodam. His professional life was punctuated with great feats of arms and he had marked his time.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, visited the Jwaneng mine in Botswana with the aim of discovering the Botswanan model of production and marketing of diamonds, and expressed his wish to duplicate this model in the DRC in order to reorganize the country’s diamond industry. He also participated in an Extraordinary SADC Summit to discuss security issues in the DRC. This visit could mark the beginning of a new era for the DRC’s diamond industry and help strengthen the country’s economy.
The 49th General Assembly of the Global Fund Board was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on May 8, 2023. African delegates, led by Dr. Jean-Jacques Mbungani Mbanda, advocated for the procurement of locally produced medicines and for the policy of strengthening local capacities and regional and continental structures. Africa has two seats among the 28 available on the board of the Global Fund.