DRC and the constitution: A history of violations and power struggle

Congolese people and wealth 

image credit: Flick

By Dorcas Mbuyi 

In the 1990s, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) witnessed a huge surge in poverty. The DRC is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa with remarkable natural resources and minerals such as cobalt, copper, hydroelectric potential and immense biodiversity. However, the economic state of the country has been an issue for years as the population continues to lack access to basic needs.

 

According to StudyCountry, the DRC is 2,344,858 square kilometres (approximately 905,355 square miles). It has the capacity to fit most, if not all Europe into its country. A country this large with minerals treasured on every corner of its soil will certainly have war raging from countless enemies. One of the DRC’s largest enemies is found within its own leadership and governance.

 Both ex-president Joseph Kabila and current President Felix Tshisekedi introduced a system and mentality that has worsened the lives of Congolese people. Joseph Kabila came into power with a violent and criminal mentality that caused a high rise in youth gang groups such as Kuluna. Although he is partially to blame for the rise in gang-affiliated crimes, his leadership failed to provide security that could have stopped these gangs from operating.

 

The economy in the DRC, while rich in natural resources, didn’t translate into widespread of the population. Corruption, weak leadership and mismanagement meant that the natural resources only benefited the elites and didn’t create jobs. These factors have fuelled the kuluna gangs, as most youths take out their frustrations by committing atrocious crimes. The corruption that had taken place during Kabila’s leadership meant that the mineral wealth found in the country rarely reached ordinary citizens and left gaps of inequality and poverty.

 Then we have, as some Baluba would refer to him as, the ‘Saviour’ of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi. He was elected into power in December 2018. He is Muluba, which is the largest ethnic group in the DRC. The Baluba tribe has stood and continues to stand with President Tshisekedi. According to most of the Balubas, Felix Tshisekedi can do nothing wrong, and this is all based on ethnic and regional loyalty. What most of Balubas fail to realise is that President Felix is failing the economy of the country, which has led to tribalism.

 

According to a source from Al Jazeera, Bisimwa Bibasa Andre, a teacher, said he isn’t pleased with Tshisekedi’s leadership. “I don’t have a normal life”, he said. Since Tshisekedi came into power, life has been getting worse. I don’t have enough food to eat, and there is no money at all. We have corruption, tribalism at high levels, nepotism, and lies. He lied to the Congolese people,” Andre said.

 

We may not see now how ethnic war is being triggered through Tshisekedi’s leadership. However, as days, months, and years pass by, they might prove otherwise. As I’ve done further research, what hurts me the most is how our mothers and fathers are overworked yet underpaid. They’re unable to take great care of their families.

 I want you to take a minute and picture a father working endlessly as a miner and a mother selling food outside in the scorching sun, both going home with minimum wage. Then picture the president and his leadership, travelling and stealing millions, even trillions, from the state's money. Where do we start to address these factors? Who do we blame?

 

Well, here’s my two cents. What we don’t need in Congo is more aid. I believe that if our government sat down to learn from other people who have done it better than them, it would allow the country to grow. The aid we get from all these countries, especially countries like the United States of America and France, is keeping the population poor. One of the best ways to equally distribute wealth would be for the government to set up a system that allows for transparency, accountability and honesty that would shape a healthier economic state.

 Africa can only move forward if each president decides to put an end to foreign aid and comes together to form one Africa. Where each African country benefits from one currency. This would build a unified people and government. The reason the United States of America can steal minerals from Africa is due to our lack of unity. If a thief wants to come into a house and steal, the house where the parents are divided will be the easiest to gain access to, whereas if the parents are unified, the thief will have a more difficult time. In this case, the parents being unified represent African leaders.

 

My hope is to see Africa gain its true freedom and independence, and not this false sense of hope that the United States of America and France tried to provide to us. It’s difficult to defeat a nation or country that knows its worth. May our hands be slow to corruption and quicker to unite.