Félix Tshisekedi at the launch of the National Forum of Customary Affairs
  • Politics

In a spirited response to accusations of constitutional manipulation to conceal governance failures, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jean-Claude Tshilumbayi delivered a sweeping account of what he described as the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s achievements under President Félix Tshisekedi’s leadership since 2019.

Social progress: Education and healthcare take center stage

Tshilumbayi highlighted the introduction of free primary education, which he credited with bringing 6 million children back to school. He also pointed to the government’s policy of free maternal healthcare, benefiting 2.5 million Congolese women.

Restoring the civil service: From ghost workers to active payrolls

The ruling UDPS party inherited a bloated civil service in 2018, including 1 million civil servants recruited without matriculation numbers or salaries—many during Shadary’s electoral campaign. Additionally, 400,000 “new units” had gone unpaid for years. “We paid them all,” Tshilumbayi declared.

Healthcare transformation: More doctors, better pay

The health sector saw dramatic improvements: the number of doctors rose from 1,700 to 7,800, with salaries increasing from $300 to $2,400. Magistrates’ pay climbed from $400 to a living wage, and police officers—once earning just $80 per month—now receive significantly higher compensation.

Infrastructure boom: Roads, airports and hospitals

Infrastructure development featured prominently in the government’s record. Tshilumbayi cited the construction of world-class universities, seven major hospitals—including the long-abandoned Mama Yemo Hospital—1,500 new schools and multiple new airports. The road network expanded from 3,000 to 9,000 kilometers in seven years.

Economic growth: Budget triples, reserves surge

The national budget grew from $3 billion to $18 billion over the same period, while foreign exchange reserves “exploded”, according to Tshilumbayi. “To claim we’re amending the constitution to hide governance failures is absurd,” he argued. “The real question is: how should our people have a say in their future?”