DRC: President Félix Tshisekedi reflects on his five Years in office and emphasizes the need for MONUSCO departure
On November 14th, 2023 in front of the gathered Parliament, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, delivered his annual adress to the nation. This emotional speech marks the conclusion of his first presidential term.
Tshisekedi began by honoring fallen compatriots, acknowledging those who sacrificed to safeguard the nation’s integrity and others affected by war, violence, diseases, and natural events.
He then reviewed the main achievements of his term, highlighting reforms to strengthen the Congolese army and reiterating the importance of MONUSCO’s departure for the country to fully manage its security and stability.
Economically, Tshisekedi expressed optimism, stating that «our economy in 2023 is doing well».
He emphasized economic growth, rising from 1.7% in 2020 to 6.2% this year, showcasing Congo’s resilience to global challenges.
To address inflation, he announced targeted interventions on essential commodity prices and monetary policies to stabilize the Congolese Franc.
The education sector received attention, with a 9.1% increase in the budget from 2021 to 2022 and a 23.9% increase from 2022 to 2023, particularly to support free education.
Tshisekedi highlighted a significant increase in the average salary of teachers during his term.
The President also celebrated progress in justice, infrastructure, and improved press freedom.
However, he called for more responsibility and professionalism from journalists, emphasizing their crucial role in covering current events and upcoming elections.
Tshisekedi concluded by urging the Congolese nation to choose between starting anew or consolidating the gains of his term by moving forward together, with a clear vision and a common goal, towards a future where every Congolese has the opportunity to prosper. It’s a call for unity and collaboration to build a better future for the country.
Yann ETERNEL
