Bishops in DR Congo Want Legislators to Prioritize Public Interest in Ongoing Sessions

In June, Bishops in DR Congo called on the government, through the Speaker of the National Assembly, to carry out electoral reforms before appointing the head of the CENI.

However, faith-based leaders in the Central African nation under the Platform of Religious Denominations have remained divided over the choice of the Chairperson of the electoral commission, a prerogative accorded them by the country’s constitution.

In a majority vote on July 2, DRC’s lawmakers decided to have Ronsard Malonda at the helm of CENI, a decision that was contested by Religious leaders and opposition parties, according to a report.

President Félix Tshisekedi rejected the choice of Mr. Malonda as the head of the country’s CENI despite his endorsement by the lawmakers.

In their September 17 collective statement, the members of CENCO invite lawmakers to “diligently adopt fair laws that guarantee the holding of elections and ensure the monitoring of the implementation of the budget for the elections.”

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“The revision of the electoral code with a view to ensuring the independence of CENI is more than necessary,” the Catholic Bishops in DRC say.

Referencing their June message to the Congolese people titled “Who sows the wind reaps the storm,” CENCO members invite the legislators to ensure that “the majority in Parliament does not abuse its numerical strength to pass laws unfavorable to the progress of democracy in our country.”

They explain, “The law of the majority is not necessarily synonymous with truth or reason, nor a guarantee of social cohesion. A parliamentary majority, however legal it may be, loses its legitimacy when it is disconnected from the interests and well-being of the people.”

The Bishops also call on the legislators “to control without complacency ministers and state agents and not to seek to modify or favor the interests of individuals or political parties.”

They are also opposed to any attempts to change “the provisions of the Constitution, particularly those relating to the voting procedure.”

“Be sensitive to the pain, suffering, and desires of the population,” they say and continue, “Respect the regulatory provisions of the organization of the opposition at the level of the National Assembly and listen to the country's intellectuals in order to initiate the consensual reforms necessary for the consolidation of democracy.”

In their September 17 statement, the members of CENCO invite the Congolese people to “remain united and vigilant to block the way to any majority or minority that would try to take our country and our future hostage through the adoption of delaying tactics by politicians.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.