EngRegional
Will Tshisekedi deliver his promises in second term?
Following
his inauguration on January 20, the Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix
Tshisekedi began his second term by admitting that his first term was marked
with mistakes, and promised “a new era for the DRC”.
“This
new five-year term will have the objectives of creating more jobs by
accelerating the promotion of entrepreneurship, of protecting the purchasing
power of households by steadying the level of stabilization and controlling the
exchange rate; of ensuring much more efficiency the security of our populations,
our territory, our goods; to continue the diversification of our economy and
increase its competitiveness, to guarantee more access to basic services and
strengthen the efficiency of services,” Tshisekedi said.
Tshisekedi
made similar promises during his first term, but ended up acknowledging his
mistakes which led to five wasted years for the volatile country that needs
quicker transformation. The mineral rich country has, for decades, experienced
political and security instability.
Tshisekedi
promised to restore law and order. Unfortunately, he deceived his compatriots.
He only multiplied armed groups in the east of the country, repressed
journalists and political opponents, abused human rights, and promoted impunity
and corruption.
“Dear
compatriots, I heard you. I am aware of the expectations that unemployment, the
creation of job opportunities for young people, women and even people living
with disabilities can raise. I am aware of your expectations relating to the
increase in purchasing power and the stability of the Congolese franc,”
Tshisekedi said on his inauguration for the second term.
This commitment
to diversify the economy is not possible with endemic corruption. Tshisekedi’s first
term manifested a surge of corruption cases in government officials, especially
among his close circle.
In
September 2022, leaked videos went viral showing Vidiye Tshimanga, the special
strategic advisor to Tshisekedi, offering unlimited access to the country’s
mineral resources in exchange for bribes, including shares in the companies and
underhand paybacks, for himself and the president.
One of
the main criticisms of Tshisekedi’s first term concerns the flagship “100 days”
project. Initially designed to accelerate development and quickly respond to
the needs of the population, this project has been marred by embezzlement and
irregularities in the awarding of contracts.
Critics
point out that this key initiative lost credibility due to its deviations,
undermining public confidence in Tshisekedi’s ability to deliver tangible
results.
Tshisekedi
said his second term will improve the dialogue and co-operation between his
government and opposition parties, but he previously showed no tolerance for
opposition leaders and journalists. When his inhumane acts were reported, he
repressed media.
Some
opposition leaders were arrested, detained or even killed just because they
highlighted Tshisekedi’s wrong doings and weaknesses.
One of
the opponents, Chérubin Okende, a former Transport Minister turned member of
opposition, was found dead in a car on July 13, 2023 in Kinshasa.
Okende
was a member of Moïse Katumbi’s party, Ensemble pour la Republique.
Katumbi
declared the death as a political assassination, adding: “they want to reduce
us to silence”.
Tshisekedi
also targeted Jean-Marc Kabund, the former head of the President’s party, Union
for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), who fell from grace after leaving
power and launching an opposition political movement. In July 2022, Kabund
announced the formation of his party, Alliance for Change. Kabund criticized the Tshisekedi and was
sentenced to seven years in jail in September 2023.
Members
of Kabund's party referred to the trial as a political motivated one, citing
the December 20 general elections as reason why Tshisekedi’s opponents were
beleaguered.
To
date, the majority of the journalists who reported Tshisekedi’s political
failures were either arrested, harassed or detained. Among others is Stanis
Bujakera, correspondent for Jeune Afrique, detained since September 2023 in
Kinshasa. Many organizations and personalities have requested for his release
but failed.
Eradicating
armed groups will remain a dream as long as Tshisekedi is still disowning, and killing
innocent people because they are Congolese Tutsi.
Tshisekedi
refused to dialogue with the M23 rebel group, but instead invested in
multiplying armed groups in eastern DRC.
Army
officers loyal to Tshisekedi are involved in the creation of militia groups,
using them in illegal mining, as well as persecuting Congolese Tutsi.
While
M23 rebels have been fighting for their rights in their own country, Tshisekedi
branded them ‘terrorists’. He instead supported the Rwandan genocidal militia,
FDLR, which fulfils his wishes of destabilized neighboring Rwanda and
massacring Congolese Tutsi.
Tshisekedi
totally failed to deliver on his campaign promises during his first term in
office. And there is no evidence that he will do better during his second term.
