The provincial assembly of Tshuapa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began its ordinary September session on September 30, 2026, but in an empty hall. Provincial deputies deliberately absent themselves in protest over several months of unpaid emoluments. Only the President of the Provincial Assembly, Daniel Makoko Boteko, and the vice-president were present, accompanied by local authorities and forces vives.
The boycott prompted President Makoko Boteko to appeal to the central government to address the issue urgently. He emphasized that without the payment of emoluments, the provincial deputies cannot effectively carry out their roles of oversight and representation. The President also recommended that the central government take this situation seriously to ensure the optimal functioning of the institution.
The session began with a minute of silence in honor of military justice officers who died in a plane crash on September 25, 2026, in Kenge, Kwango province. The victims included Lieutenant-General Joseph Mutombo Katalay Tiende, First President of the High Military Court, and Lieutenant-General Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi, Auditor General of the FARDC. The government declared three days of national mourning following the tragic accident that claimed 17 lives.
President Makoko Boteko highlighted the budget as a priority for the session. He stressed the importance of voting on a sincere and realistic budget to boost the province's development. The start of the September session is marked by tension between the executive and legislative branches of the province.
The absence of provincial deputies from the session underscores the challenges faced by the Tshuapa provincial assembly. The issue of unpaid emoluments has created a rift between the deputies and the government. It remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved and what impact it will have on the province's governance.
The provincial assembly's functioning is crucial for the province's development and the well-being of its population. The deputies' boycott highlights the need for the government to address the issue of unpaid emoluments promptly. The situation in Tshuapa province is a reminder of the challenges faced by many provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The central government's response to the situation in Tshuapa province will be crucial in resolving the issue of unpaid emoluments. The province's development and the effectiveness of its institutions depend on the government's ability to address the challenges faced by the provincial assembly and its deputies.
Key points
- Tshuapa provincial deputies boycotted the parliamentary session due to several months of unpaid emoluments.
