PRESIDENT FELIX TSHISEKEDI PROMISE TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY

President Felix Tshisekedi swearing in Attorney General for the Consititutional Court Jean Paul Mukolo, photo by Presidency RDC

Speaking to union representatives of the country's magistrates, President Felix Tshisekedi promised to maintain the independent of the judicial system and promote fair justice; according to him this was very important and in accordance with establishing the rule of law.

Magistrates representatives speaking to the press, after meeting with President Felix Tshisekedi, audio visual in French

The meeting between the President and the magistrates, which took place on Saturday 27 June 2020 , comes at a time when some lawmakers are calling for the amendment of certain sections of the judicial law, to give power to the Justice Minister.

Earlier on, magistrates across the Democratic Republic of Congo held peaceful march to denounce the propose amendment to the judicial law, fearing that it could affect their ability to exercise their duty independently.

The law was also  at the centre of the arrest of Justice Minister Tunda Ya Kasenda. The minister was interogated by the Attorney General after he submitted a letter to the National Assembly claiming that government had approved the debate on the proposed judicial reforms to go ahead , when infact cabinet had never discussed the matter in the first place. The minister was later released

Apart from supporting their view, President Tshisekedi also promised to improve the living and social conditions of the country's magistrates.