Headlines: tense atmosphere for the 60th anniversary of the DRC

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No festivities planned for the 60th anniversary of independence, due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the DRC. Here, a view of the Gombe business district in Kinshasa in full containment, April 19, 2020. REUTERS / Kenny Katombe

By: Frédéric Couteau Follow

Publicity

No festivities planned due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a harmful political climate at the top of the state: this 60th anniversary of the independence of the DRC will not have the expected luster…

Indeed, points Le Nouvel Observateur in Kinshasa, in addition to the health crisis, "  the current tension between the FCC (of former President Kabila) and the Cach (of current President Tshisekedi) following the three controversial projects on the reform of the judiciary, and the arrest of the Minister of Justice Tunda wa Kasende, all this tension did not make it possible to organize celebrations. Because it must be recognized, sighs Le Nouvel Observateur, this umpteenth arm wrestling has greatly shaken the FCC-Cach coalition.  "

And moreover, the Kinshasa periodical still points out, "  the 60 years of independence of the DRC have been marked by complex and multifaceted political crises which, very often, have led to armed conflicts and even to war . "

And Le Nouvel Observateur headlines: “  60 years of waste and cacophony !!!  "

Presidential crop

Last night, reports the Congolese news site Cas-Info , "  the ears of Congolese politicians must have been ringing. And for good reason, the particularly offensive speech of the Head of State on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of independence and in the midst of a political crisis. Since the bloodbath of Patrice Emery Lumumba in 1960, never a June 30 had given rise to such presidential reframing of the political class, exclaims Cas-Info. In the sight of Félix Tshisekedi: the FCC of former president Joseph Kabila and his controversial judicial reform. The three legislative proposals which seek to put the Congolese magistrates under the thumb of the Minister of Justice had already put their backs on the black gowns. They now face the President of the Republic himself. "There is no need to remind you that justice raises a nation," said the head of state . 'This is why I believe that the reforms in this sector must be dictated, not by the concern to ensure the protection of an individual or a group of people, but by the concern to bring more efficiency and efficiency in the functioning of justice ', he continued. "

What's more, Cas-Info points out , "  as if he wanted to show his FCC allies his determination to follow through on his desire to found a new Congo, Félix Tshisekedi did not hesitate to take it take their majority position in parliament: 'no political or parliamentary majority, wherever it comes from, can go beyond the founding principles of the Republic', he warned. It was said to be puppet and without any power, with this ultra-offensive speech, concludes the Congolese site, Félix Tshisekedi has just shown the opposite . "

"Félix Tshisekedi no longer wants to hang out on the quay"

Objectif-Infos , another Congolese information site, adds: “  the Head of State will indeed, in an unprecedented speech, pressed on the accelerator, insisting on the rule of law (…). Félix Tshisekedi no longer wants to hang out on the platform. For this Independence Day, the speech of the Head of State also reflected the disagreements experienced within the FCC-CACH coalition and responded publicly indirectly, without pinning the individuals down, to the many points that constituted the blockage . Warnings also to relatives of Joseph Kabila and support for justice in the 100-day trial when his chief of staff Vital Kamerhe was sentenced to a maximum sentence.  "

Mea culpa

Finally this message on social networks, echoed by the Congolese site Direct CD , by the Kananga deputy, Claudel Lubaya: “  in 60 years of independence, we have failed, he says, to build a viable state, a legitimacy democratic and sustainable institutions and that of their leaders, a stable economy and better living conditions for our people. This failure , he continues, we collectively bear as an unconscious political class. It requires us to give up our governance without complacency, before continuing. It is a question of responsibility and accountability to ourselves and to future generations.  "

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