“I'm doing really well. I think it shows” – Indépendant Congo

2024-08-08 01:51:12

After leaving Kinshasa on 2 August, to everyone’s surprise, for Belgium – a country he considers his “other Congo” – the Congolese head of state returned to the DRC on the night of Tuesday 6 August to Wednesday 7 August en route same. Unauthorized. A few hours before he started back on his plane, “Felix”, as those close to him and his opponents call him, gave an interview to the Kinshasa media “Top Congo” at 32 rue Marie de Bourgogne. Christian Lusakueno and the author of these lines was at the microphone. Twenty-four hours after the broadcast of this interview – which was intended to dispel alarming rumors – the controversy was on.

REACTED

Some listeners and viewers had nothing better than to live on a slide of the tongue from the head of state. And this is to say “reduce purchasing power” instead of “increase purchasing power”. And yet, the meaning of slip of the tongue is “the involuntary use of one word for another” and it remains. Some people believe that Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo should not have given this interview. On the grounds, according to them, that he appeared to be speaking under the influence of medication.

The tribute given by Felix Tshisekedi to the former Minister of Finance, Nicolas Kazadi, in the relationship between the DRC and the IMF is nothing but “incredible” for the people of Kinshasa. Rightly or wrongly, Kazadi is considered a “thief”. And this despite the fact that he still benefits from the presumption of innocence in the context of the alleged over-invoicing of a public contract.

Finally, “Fatshi” is considered “too hidden” in his views on the crisis in the East because he treated Paul Kagame as a criminal and qualified “Joseph Kabila” as the real leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC). Many observers believe that the head of state looked “tired”. This is, it seems, what he would say during the first minute of the show. The crutch used for support on the left side has also become a matter of controversy. It is as if those who announced the “seriousness” of the President’s health situation are refusing to face reality.

Are the Congolese in good faith? This question is not encouraged at all in that “Fatshi” addressed various themes. In addition to his health, there were in particular: the socio-economic situation, government monitoring, disagreement with the head of state, the war in the East, the appointment of Constant Mutamba, modification or revision of the Constitution.

THEMES OF THE INTERVIEW

Health of the head of state. “I’m doing really well. I think it shows”announced the President at the outset before explaining in detail the reasons that pushed him to come and continue the treatment in Brussels after receiving treatment at Camp Tshatshi hospital. As if to dispel rumors about the “seriousness” of his herniated disc, he had these words: “I chaired the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Friday 2 August before I flew”. After the treatment, he had to observe a few days of recovery. The opponents kept only the slip of the tongue.

The socio-economic situation. The President of the Republic emphasized the purchasing power of the population, which continues to erode against fluctuations in the dollar. In addition to the dependence of the national economy on the American currency, he did not rule out “Economic sabotage » driven by both internal and external enemies.

Felix Tshisekedi paid tribute to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka who, according to him, “at work”. And he said that the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Economy, Mukoko Samba, chaired a meeting of the Economic and Financial Commission. “Urgent action package” built with hope “reduce market tension”. For him, it is a constant battle.

Ambient disenchantment. Re-elected last December with 73%, we are seeing an atmosphere of “disenchantment” with the head of state. It is not uncommon for comments such as: “I am a Tshisekedist ‘Etienne’ and not a Tshisekedist ‘Felix'”. According to these speakers, they forgot Tshitshi’s motto: “The people first”. Stakeholder response: “I never asked anyone to love me. The life of a State is never a quiet river. There are pros and cons”. Adding: « (…), I hope that in 2028, as we reflect, those who say that I am far from Tshisekedi Etienne will have the courage to reconsider their words.”.

The war in the East. Reaffirming his faith in the Luanda process which particularly demands the cantonment of the M23 fighters, President Felix Tshisekedi did not mince his words as he declared that he will never face the M23 delegation, as long as he is in charge the country. “I want to talk to Rwanda”he emphasized. For him, the Rwandan troops “pack up”. And with a hammer: “It is a war of territorial conquest”. For him, there will be no negotiation on the risk of “mixing” and another “mixing”.

To modify or revise the Constitution. The Head of State insisted, on this matter, that he would not in any way want to modify the Constitution to increase the number of the President’s mandates and their duration. He announced his displeasure at the way the partition was carried out to the point that certain citizens who lived in the capital of the former province were “foreigners”. And to emphasize, in the past, the time spent on the validation of mandates and the election of the Bureau of each of the Chambers. His wish is for provincial governors to be made again “great officers of state”. It was very unfortunate for the blackmail practiced by provincial deputies on the heads of local executives. The President of the Republic hopes to establish a large multidisciplinary national commission to examine the question of the constitution. The ambition, according to him, is to bring the Administration closer to the population.

National integration. While answering a question regarding the surprise appointment of Constant Mutamba, an opponent of the government, the President confirmed that, in his opinion, it is a sign of openness in order to bring people together. He would express this desire for national integration to the Bishops who came to meet him. He did not rule out a reset early next year.

To diplomacy. Responding to a question about the “wanton” nature of the relationship between Belgium and the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi, on the contrary, welcomed the excellent relationship between the two countries. According to him, contacts are maintained at the highest level. He also welcomed the state of relations between Kinshasa and Washington.