Congo govt.'s first 100 days see many goals, few results

One hundred days ago, the first female-led government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took office. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka's team consists of 54 members, including 18 women.

The basis of the new government's work is a program based on six pillars: national economy, security, spatial planning, social well-being, responsible ecosystem management and helping the population to develop and strengthen necessary skills, processes and resources.

Investment program worth billions

"It is still very early to really talk about their record at the head of government," said Tresor Kibangula, political analyst at the Congolese research institute Ebuteli. "Concrete results often need more time to materialize."

Nevertheless, a lot has already happened in just over three months. The government has taken a series of measures, particularly in the economic sphere — "especially to reduce import taxes, boost purchasing power and lower food prices," Kibangula told DW.

The analyst also considers it a good step that 11 members of the government were selected as so-called technocrats purely on the basis of their expertise.

Suminwa Tuluka has announced an extremely ambitious investment program, estimating the scope at almost $93 billion (€83 billion) over the next five years.

The prime minister is trying to "translate the president's promises and commitments into concrete action," said Kibangula. President Felix Tshisekedi "has promised more jobs, more security and more purchasing power. Also a more inclusive economy and better efficiency of public services," he added.

On September 16, Suminwa Tuluka introduced three bills in the National Assembly: for the Budget Act 2025, for the Accounts Act 2024 and for the Amending Budget Act 2024.

Opposition dissatisfied: 'The fish stinks from the head down'

As expected, the government has found words of praise for its program, but observers have been less enthusiastic.

That includes — also as expected — the opposition, with Moise Katumbi's Together for the Republic party saying Congolese authorities are primarily dividing up resources among themselves and leaving the population to live in misery.

"The fish stinks from the head down," party spokesman Herve Diakiese told DW. "If you look at the social situation and the economic hardship of our population, the persistent corruption, lack and decay of infrastructure — the balance is largely negative."

"This government has shone with words and promises," said Jonas Tshiombela, national coordinator of the New Congolese Civil Society, a platform of civil society organizations, adding that the people in charge had so far done little more than speak in front of cameras and travel.

"The only record we have from this government is speeches and this kind of helplessness in the face of diplomatic questions about the war in the east. There is nothing consistent to record that has been done for the benefit of the people," he said.

At the end of June, just a few days after her inauguration, Suminwa Tuluka visited the restive east of Congo, where Congolese forces have been fighting Rwanda-backed rebels from the so-called M23 (March 23rd Movement) since late 2021, just one of over 100 armed groups in the east of the country.

"I think of all these people and my heart beats for them," she said in her first speech on state television — and promised to work for peace.

Congo, Rwanda working toward peace

The interest and commitment to work together to find a sustainable solution to the conflict is clearly there. In August, cease-fire agreements between Congo and Rwanda came into force. And a month later, representatives from both sides met in Luanda under the mediation of Angola. The main goal: a peace agreement to end the conflict in eastern Congo.

"The Luanda process has been revitalized," said Kibangula. "Rwanda and Congo are discussing an agreement that could perhaps persuade Rwandan troops to leave Congolese soil."

During the so-called Luanda peace process in 2022, however, the demand for a sustainable cease-fire was not met. And even now, observers remain skeptical. "The feedback we have received shows that there has not yet been any decisive progress," said Kibangula.

Congo, the United Nations and Western countries have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels for years, in order to control the region's lucrative natural resources. Kigali has consistently denied these accusations. The long-running conflict has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Mpox response beset by concerns over aid misappropriation

In addition to the economic situation, social problems and the conflict in eastern Congo, the mpoxepidemic is — inevitably — also high on the new government's agenda, after the spread from Congo to other parts of Africa.

Germany has donated 100,000 vaccine doses, but the vaccine is apparently not reaching people as quickly as needed and there have been delays.

Kibangula expressed concerns about the "opacity in the management of financial resources" used to contain the epidemic.

"Past epidemics have shown: the money often ends up in the pockets of politicians," he said. Civil society organizations, in particular, have a responsibility to remain vigilant and monitor the flow of money.

In 2019, former Health Minister Oly Ilunga Kalenga was sentenced to five years in prison for misuse of Ebola aid funds and corruption.

Suminwa's first 100 days 'still leave us thirsty'

Despite a rather sobering 100 days so far, many Congolese believe Suminwa Tuluka still needs to be given time, DW correspondent Jean-Noel Ba-Mweze reported from Kinshasa. And Congolese women in particular hope — and trust — that she can do better than her predecessors.

"There are men who say that women can't do what they do," said student Sefora Wameh. "But I firmly believe that this time we women have the opportunity to do better than the men."

Suminwa Tuluka's ruling UDPS party, meanwhile, has remained cautious.

"There are at least some ministers who stand out among the others," UDPS lawmaker Adolphe Amisi Makutano told DW. "The minister of finance, the minister of justice and the minister of the interior. The others are also making efforts, but their actions are not yet visible."

Suminwa Tuluka's "overall vision" is yet to be seen, he said. "So the 100 days of Judith Suminwa still leave us thirsty."

Eric Topona and Jean-Noel Ba-Mweze (Kinshasa) contributed reporting

This article was originally written in German.