Kinshasa (AFP)

The new President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, denounced Thursday the "small and great corruption" and promised the end of the reign of "untouchable corrupt and corrupt" and some measures.

Corruption involves both "lower-ranking officials" and "the highest-ranking members of the state," the president said in a speech in Kinshasa on the occasion of the "African Day of Fighting Corruption."

"For many large companies, the high costs of corruption remain lower than the costs (...) of business ethics," he insisted.

He considered that these companies (mines, wood, telecommunications ...) have "little interest in the transparency concerning tenders ...)".

The head of state on 24 January announced his intention to ratify an African Union convention against corruption to "allow the DRC to recover the assets and proceeds of corruption scattered in tax havens".

He confirmed with applause his intention to amend the electoral law for the designation "MPPs, governors and senators".

The election in March of indirect senators by MPPs was marked by accusations of buying / selling votes for tens of thousands of dollars.

"I appeal to all the judicial personnel of the country, especially the magistrates, who must in all circumstances render justice fair and equitable, without giving in to the temptation of corruption," insisted Tshisekedi.

He announced "the creation soon within (his) cabinet of a specialized service called coordination for the change of mentalities".

In support of a "strong message against corrupt and corrupt untouchables, past and present," he launched: "Under my mandate, these untouchables are called to reconversion, by the strict application of the law".

Tshisekedi was proclaimed the winner of the December 30 presidential election, a result contested by his opposition rival, Martin Fayulu.

The head of state has a coalition agreement with his predecessor, Joseph Kabila.

The DRC is ranked 161st out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2019 ranking.

© 2019 AFP