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.

MOISE KATUMBI: CONGO HAS ONLY KNOWN POOR LEADERSHIP SINCE INDEPENDENCE

The Democratic Republic of Congo has nothing to be proud of 60 years after independence, all thanks to the leadership that has had the opportunity to govern the country after it was decolonised from Belgium.
This was the message from Moise Katumbi, Chairman of  the heroic African football club TP Mazembe.

Katumbi, who is also President of opposition party Esemble (Together), was delivering his message for the country's 60 Years Independence Day celebrations.
According to him, there was not a single sector in society where Congolese people can attest to and take pride in those who have ruled them over years.

He then highlighted almost all the failures that has basically turned the country into a collapsed state; from the lost of territorial sovereignty (as foreign forces continues to occupy certain parts of the country), dilapidated health system, endemic poverty and lack of infrastructural development.

Katumbi also took the opportunity to oppose any attempt to change the current judicial laws, as being proposed by members of the ruling majority in the National Assembly.

But despite providing a gloomy picture, Moise Katumbi proclaimed that he remains confident about the future of the country and called on the population to stay united.

Given his popularity, it's expected that the football Chairman and former Governor, will contest the 2023 Presidential Elections.

The Democratic Republic of Congo celebrated 60 years of independence on the 30th of June 2020.

VIDEO: MORE CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION TO FOLLOW, INCLUDING BUKANGALONZO, FELIX

In a telelevised speech to mark 60 years of the country's  independence, the Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi promised to put an end to impunity, saying that this was at the centre of his strategy to develop the country.

As he made reference to the 100 DAYS corruption trial, which saw his Chief of Staff Vital Kamerhe being sentenced to prison for corruption, the President indicated that other similar trial may follow, as investigation will be conducted into the mismanagement of funds in the agricultural project of Bukangalonzo; and further investigations in the mining sector and infrastructural development projects.

While agreeing to engage in dialogue with other instutions and parties in order to maintain stability in the country, the President also made it clear that no one will be above the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution, irrespective of whether they hold majority seats in the National Assembly or form the biggest political party. For many analysts, Tshisekedi was alluding to the coalition movement of the Common Front for Congo(FCC), which controls Parliament, and have been pushing for the introduction of unpopular laws; including that which will lead to judicial reforms.

Meanwhile Tshisekedi also made it clear that he will not accept any law that will act as a pretext to undermine the principles of justice.