FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
The meeting organized on 12 October with Félix Tshisekedi, at the initiative of the President of the National Assembly, Jeanine Mabunda, and her colleague from the Senate, Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, around the appointment of three judges to the Constitutional Court did not manage to iron out the differences.
According to our information, the office of the head of state referred the matter to parliament several weeks ago in order to prepare for the swearing-in ceremonies of these magistrates, but received no response.
READ MORE Is Joseph Kabila already preparing for his return to power?
The three judges were appointed by ordinance by Tshisekedi in July, without consulting the camp of his predecessor Joseph Kabila.
Since then, the Front Commun pour le Changement or FCC (Kabila’s bloc) has continued to denounce these appointments, which it believes were made in violation of the constitution.
Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba, who was supposed to countersign them, was then on the move and represented by a relative of Félix Tshisekedi, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Interior, Gilbert Kankonde.
READ MORE Tshisekedi rounds up new allies for 2023 presidential polls
Two Constitutional Court judges appointed by the head of state to the Court of Cassation are also challenging their departure.
Radical block
Sources inside Félix Tshisekedi’s entourage blame Nehemiah Mwilanya, the coordinator of the FCC, as well as Jeanine Mabunda and Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, for forming a bloc of “radicals” that would block the FCC-Cach (Cape for Change) coalition, or even the application of recent orders issued by the president.
Those close to the Head of State say that the possibility of keeping Nehemiah Mwilanya away from the decision-making spheres at the FCC is being studied at the Palace.
READ MORE Dan Gertler and Afriland First Bank start legal fight in Paris
This is in order to neutralize the personalities judged to be ‘radical’ in the entourage of Tshisekedi and Kabila.
Jean Marc Kabund-a-Kabund, Augustin Kabuya and Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary were thus excluded from the new committee monitoring the agreement between the FCC and the Cach, composed of four negotiators for each camp.
Determined to push through his orders, Felix Tshisekedi secured the support of the judiciary by receiving the office of the Superior Council of the Judiciary on October 14, on the eve of the new judicial year.
READ MORE DRC: COVID-19 and cobalt crash make a one-two punch
This body discussed with the president the reforms to be carried out in order to be able to guarantee its independence, such as the procedural rules relating to the immunity of MPs and members of the government.
The article continues below
Free download
Get your free PDF: COVID-19. How Africa can navigate the pandemic
Leaders of all stripes are scrambling to contain the fallout.
Complete the form and download, for free, The Africa Report’s COVID-19 How Africa can navigate the pandemic. Get your free PDF by completing the following form
Understand Africa's tomorrow... today
We believe that Africa is poorly represented, and badly under-estimated. Beyond the vast opportunity manifest in African markets, we highlight people who make a difference; leaders turning the tide, youth driving change, and an indefatigable business community. That is what we believe will change the continent, and that is what we report on. With hard-hitting investigations, innovative analysis and deep dives into countries and sectors, The Africa Report delivers the insight you need.
View subscription options
