DRCONGO: NEW FINANCE INSPECTOR GENERAL PROMISE TO ACT TOUGH ON CORRUPTION

The new Finance Inspector General Jules Alingeta, who took office on Tuesday 07 2020, made a commitment to accompany the Head of State in fulfilling his vision of establishing good governance and the rule of law.

 Alingeta told the media that under his leadership he intends to restore the integrity of the Finance Inspector Directorate, and will not compromise when it comes to dealing with corruption. As a matter of urgency an effective internal control system will be established to ensure that compliance with function procedures.
The Finance Inspector General branded his institution a specialised elite unit, whose 33 years experience couldn't be more crucial at a time when the Democratic Republic of Congo has a President who is genuinely committed to establishing the rule of law.

The  Finance Inspector General plans to introduce reforms in the administration and organisation of the public institution, which had been based on the rules formulated in 1987.
The public institution will also hire about 120 new finance inspectors  so that it can improve the performance of its mandate. According to Jules Alingeta the last finance inspectors were hired in 1991.

The Finance Inspector Directorate was established to monitor and control the financial operation of the state, both in expenditure and revenue collections

CONGOLESE NATIONALS BANNED FROM ENTERING THE EU SCHENGEN AREA

 This was the statement from European Union ambassador to the country, Jean-Marc Chataignier.
 According to the Ambassador the decision was taken by the European Union Council, and had been based on health reasons, related to the coronavirus outbreak. The Council took into consideration among other things, the number of covid19  infections and the availability of reliable information regarding the number of tests conducted.

 The ban only applied to non essential travellers, and will continually be updated.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) joins countries such as United States and Brazil whose citizens are prohibited from accessing the Schengen territory.

As of July 7 2020, the DRC had 7660 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 3236 recoveries and 182 deaths. The country's health minister Eteni Longondo, has been criticised for poorly managing the response led efforts, with allegations of embezzlement of the coronavirus funds directed at his department.

DRCONGO: EX REBEL MOVEMENTS THREATEN TO TAKE UP ARMS AFTER SPENDING MONTHS WITHOUT ANY FORM OF ASSISTANCE.

The rebel movements, which have surrendered about a 1000 of its fighters and hundreds of ammunition to the Congolese military, told President Felix Tshisekedi to address their concerns otherwise they will have no choice but to return to the bush.

The two rebel group, AFRC and UPDC, use to operate in the territory of Masisi and Rutshuru, in the North Kivu Province. They had heeded the call by Tshisekedi for all rebel movements to lay down their weapons since a new government was now in charge.
However six months  later after accepting the call, the rebels now find  themselves in a state of despair and without any form of assistance from government. They claimed that the demobilisation process has failed, which lives an appetite to take up arms.

The rebels' grievances is nothing unusual as corruption and financial mismanagement within the Congolese defense force remains rampant. Often top Generals are accused of misappropriating funds disbursed by the central government to implement military programmes, such as that of demobilisation, and pay soldiers' salaries. According to experts, this is one of the main reasons the Congolese government has failed to end the violence in the eastern parts of the country.

DRCONGO HEALTH MINISTER ACCUSED OF SELF ENRICHMENT AMIDST PROTEST BY COVID19 MEDICAL STAFF

A written Parliamentary question was sent to the Congolese Heath Minister, Eteni Longondo , to answer to allegations that he has acquired material goods worth a value that exceeds his income, this after being appointed as a minister.

 The question was tabled after health workers handling the coronavirus pandemic went on strike, demanding their three months salary, which was in arrears.

The minister is also expected to explain the  financial mismanagement in his department, and the introduction of a kickback policy in the management of the coronavirus funds.

 Minister Longondo is yet to provide a full response to the questions, however he spoke on the sideline with regards to the non payment of the Covid19 staff.
 According to him, the delay in the payment is as a result of him not receiving the list of the medical staff. He had asked the Technical Secretariat of the coronavirus response team, about two months ago, to submit a list with the names of medical staff  working in the team, but only received it recently.

The Minister has assured the staff that the Office of the Prime Minister is handling the matter, and they should be receiving their money very soon.

As of 6th July 2020, the Democratic Republic of Congo had 7432 confirm cases of coronavirus and 182 deaths

TSHISEKEDI TO PERSONALLY OVERSEE THE PROCESS OF CHOOSING THE PRESIDENT OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

A communique issued by the office of the Prime Minister has outlined that the President of the Republic, Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, will personally oversee the process of electing the new President of the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) and ensure that it's credible from start to finish.

 The decision was taken during the 38th meeting of the Council of Ministers, on July 03 2020.

 The President noted that the controversy surrounding the nomination of the new Electoral Chief, has elevated tensions and runs the risk of destabilising the country.
As the number one guardian responsible for safeguarding state institutions, the President wants to make sure such process is strictly compliant with the rule of law, and that it's  conducted to the appeasement of the national community; the statement reads.

A public outcry had erupted earlier on after it came to attention that the National Assembly had endorsed the election of Ronsard Malonda, by the religious denomination, as the President of the Independent Electoral Commission.  The Parliamentary majority is controlled by members of the Common Front for Congo (FCC), whose moral authority is former President Joseph Kabila.

Those opposing the outcome argued that the endorsement was based on false facts.

KINSHASA: OPPOSITION PARTY TO PROTEST ON 9 JULY AGAINST THE ENDORSEMENT OF MALONDA AS HEAD OF ELECTORAL BODY

Supporters of UDPS, photo by DiasporaRDC

The Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) , the most prominent political party in the Democratic Republic of Congo , will hold mass protests on July 09 2020 to denounce the endorsement of Ronsard Malonda as the new President of the country's Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), by the National Assembly.

UDPS member Gecoco Mulumba promising to be on the streets on 09th July

The party wants the National Assembly to reconsider such decision, and rather make a recommendation to civil society movement (which includes the church) to designate 3 candidates, who will  represent the movement in the plenary of the Independent Electoral Commission.

Malonda was voted by members of the religious denomination to become the next President of CENI, a letter was then sent to Parliament to endorse his election

According to UDPS, the process of endorsing Malonda was done through fraudulent means and the Parliamentary majority, The Common Front for Congo (FCC), took a unilateral decision on something that required a national consensus.

The Speaker of Parliament, Jeanine Mabunda, was also criticised for rushing through the process.

Even some church leaders, including the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Cenco), Donatien Nsole, refused to acknowledge the endorsement of Malonda by Parliament. Their argument echoed the same sentiment  that the procedures was based on fraudulent documents.

The reason for such strong objection on the nomination of Ronsard Malonda, across the social spectrum, is because he held a position within CENI and his close relation with the current CENI President, Cornielle Nangaa.

Under Nangaa, the electoral body had lost credibility among the Congolese population due to the fraudulent elections organised in 2018; and there are fears that if individuals from the same electoral team are placed in the leadership position, the next national votes will be no different.

PRESIDENT FELIX TSHISEKEDI TELLS KABILA HE WANTS JUSTICE MINISTER TO RESIGN

During the 38th meeting of the Council of Ministers, President Felix Tshisekedi revealed that he had told former President Joseph Kabila to call on the Justice Minister Tunda Ya Kasenda to resign or else he will fire him; it's also alleged that the Minister was disconnected from the video held meeting.

Joseph Kabila is the moral authority for the Common Front for Congo (FCC), of which the Justice Minister is a member

Tension between President Tshisekedi and his Justice Minister escalated last week after it emerged that Tunda Ya Kasenda had sent a letter to the National Assembly, on behalf of government, confirming that cabinet had approved the proposed amendment to the judicial law be debated in Parliament; only to find that cabinet had never discussed the issue in the first place.

 What further angered Tshisekedi, according to sources, the Minister raised the issue for the proposed amendment  for discussion during a cabinet meeting, knowing very well that he had already submitted the letter of approval to Parliament.

Later that day the Minister was arrested but released the same day, after pressure from the FCC movement.

President Tshisekedi has since vowed not to allow any changes to the current judicial law.

DRCONGO: REFORMS ON THE JUDICIAL LAWS TO BE DEBATED ONLY IN SEPTEMBER

The Congolese National Assembly has delayed the debate on the proposed amendment to the judicial law to September 2020; this is due to the fact that the current parliamentary session is near completion.

Already the Parliament's Political Administrative and Legal Commission has approved the proposed amendment, initiated by Parliamentarians Aubin Minaku and Garry Sakata, for debate in the legislature

Both Minaku and Sakata are hoping that the delay in the debate will provide further opportunity for them to explain to various structures who fear that such law will pose a threat to the independence of the judiciary.

The two members of the Common Front for Congo (FCC) want to see changes on among other things , the law that governs the functions, organisation and competency of the courts; and the law on the function of the Superior Council of the magistrates .

During his telelevised address, to mark 60 years of the country's independence, President Felix Tshisekedi made a strong commitment to prevent any law that will affect the independent of the judiciary.

KINSHASA: PARLIAMENT ENDORSE RONSARD MALONDA AS HEAD OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION, DESPITE OPPOSITION

The National Assembly in the Democratic Republic of Congo has gone ahead and approved the election of Ronsard Malonda as the new President of the country's Independence Electoral Commission (CENI).

Parliament issued a written statement around Wednesday midnight confirming the endorsement, as mandated by Article 12 of the Electoral law.

Malonda was voted by members of the religious denomination, receiving 6 out of the 8 votes.
However the outcome was greeted with  strong opposition from the powerful Catholic Church, as it refused to recognise the credibility of Mr Malonda, and raised questions about the election process.

According to the Catholic Church, Ronsard Malonda was a compromised candidate since he had served as the Technical Secretary during the controversial 2018 General Elections. The Catholic Church together with another popular religious group , the Church of Kimbanguist, also raised concern about the Speaker of the National Assembly meddling in the electoral affairs, which they believed tempered with the transparency and fairness of the process.

Given the opposition from these churches, there are fears that wide protests could erupt across the country, to rally behind the Catholic Church.

Few days back , opposition leader Moise Katumbi, approached the United States diplomatic mission in Kinshasa to pile pressure on the government and block the designation of Malonda; arguing that the country cannot mix old and rotten tomatoes with new ones, if it wanted to produce credible elections.