Civil society round table on the agreement between the Congolese State and Dan Gertler is a step forward for citizen control of public action”- DRC
The Collective of civil society organizations that took part in the round table organized by the Presidency of the Republic on the agreement signed between the DRC and the Ventora group of the economic operator Dan Gertler, discussed with the press on Tuesday May 3, on the main content of this agreement.
This group of 31 NGOs welcomes the act taken by the Presidency of the Republic to involve civil society in learning about the content of this agreement. These non-governmental organizations believe that the DRC has just taken a big step in the sector of citizen control of public action.
“Do you know a country in Central Africa where the President of the Republic signs an agreement and calls civil society to the presidency to receive criticism from them? This is a step forward for our country in terms of control citizen of public action. To manage this significant step forward, we demand a lasting partnership between the presidency and civil society. That is to say that even if the current Head of State is no longer there today, Today, his successor will have to become aware of the partnership with civil society through a structure of exchanges, negotiation, for citizen control in the mining sector. Civil society must make its contribution to the improvement of public policies” , said Florimond Muteba, PCA of thePublic Expenditure Observatory (ODEP).
The latter said that the Presidency of the Republic has promised a frank collaboration with civil society on crucial issues of State.
“They reassured us that from now on civil society will be involved in participating from the development of public policy, their implementation and their evaluation. This is what we want to win”, added Florimond Muteba.
The boss of the ODEP, recalled, during his speech, the importance of citizen control of public action which requires those in power to be accountable.
Towards a positivist activism
The collective of 31 NGOs indicates that this agreement brings exceptional revenue to the DRC, more than 2.5 billion dollars. Which is a win.
As a result, he recalls that the role of civil society does not consist in saying “no” to all acts taken by the public authorities, even when they are beneficial.
“Our role is not negativist activism. We are not here to say no to everything. We must contribute by proposing alternatives so that the DRC recovers what it deserves. Negotiation is about making concessions. In this agreement, both parties have won,” said Jean-Michel Mvondo, secretary general of the Civic Education Network in Congo (RECIC).
Contrary to the member associations of Congo n’est pas à Vendre (CNPAV) which do not approve of the content of this agreement, the collective of 31 NGOs believes that the DRC is gaining in this agreement signed with Dan Gertler’s Ventora group.
