In this file
Voir tout le sommaireEverything seems too big in this office of the Congolese National Assembly: curtains, photos, tables, square meters ... too big for Christophe Mboso?The sparkling eye, the octogenarian seems to jump through the room, unable to hide his pleasure of being king in this kingdom.When Félix Tshisekedi, in 2019, could have predicted the arrival of the dean of the deputies at the perch.Christophe Mboso himself still seems to be surprised.
But he skillfully maneuvered.He who was one of the deputies of the camp of Joseph Kabila became craftsmanship of Jeanine Mabunda, in December 2020, then of the majority held by the Common Front for the Congo (FCC), before taking the head ofThe National Assembly last February and to become one of the close allies of President Tshisekedi.
À Lire[RDC : l’année de la rupture] Entre Tshisekedi et Kabila, l’heure du divorceHe has since been seized of some of the most burning political files.It was he who had the state of siege voted in Ituri and North Kivu, two provinces of the East, in May.He still put on the agenda the appointment of Denis Kadima at the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).Controversial decisions that Christophe Mboso assumes.He explains it against Jeune Afrique.
Jeune Afrique: on February 3, you arrived by surprise at the head of the National Assembly.How did you live this first year at the perch?
Christophe Mboso: It was a year of all risks.Every moment, everything could tip over and go wrong, but ultimately, it went well.Despite some disputes here and there, we are now working in serenity and we achieve results.
Does this mean that, despite the reversal of the majority held by Joseph Kabila's FCC, do you feel that the political situation is soothed?
Yes, we are constantly working there to safeguard peace and serenity.
If the Congolese did not react to the change of majority, it is good that they agreed
Some people believe that you owe your post to a constitutional coup ...
You see: I laugh!It was not at all a coup, it is the result of the self-determination of a people.The people are demanding justice, a rule of law, democracy, they want things to evolve.This is what prompted a large number of deputies to bring change.And this change of majority had the support of the people.If the Congolese did not react, it is good that they agreed.
À LireRDC : Christophe Mboso, le dévoué de Tshisekedi à l’AssembléeAre you sure of the loyalty of majority deputies, the sacred union?When an elected official was bought once, why wouldn't he be again?
I have no fear and I trust this majority.From now on, we must maintain this relationship.It's like a flower: if you don't take care of it, she fane.
Nor do you doubt deputies close to Moïse Katumbi?This one seems to hesitate to stay in your camp ...
In any case, they are still with us!As long as they have not announced their departure, we trust them.
All deputies who are accomplices must leave the armed groups
Among the sensitive files on your desk, there is that of the state of siege, established in May and again extended this Tuesday, November 30.Are we going to get out one day?
We will get out of it.It has been twenty years that the state struggled in the east but until then, no regime had dared to decree a state of siege.It’s a courageous choice!We want to put an end to atrocities and we need everyone's cohesion to get there.We recognize that there are operational weaknesses, but we are determined to remedy it.
À LireRDC : Félix Tshisekedi peut-il vraiment compter sur l’Union sacrée ?In one of your perch interventions, you asked the deputy to leave the armed groups.It was an amazing statement ...
I mean that all those who are accomplices, whether civilian or military, must leave the groups in question.
Do you have any information on complicities within your assembly?
Everyone must look at their conscience.
The Ugandan army has already operated in eastern Congo.Why do we make it today a taboo?
Uganda has officially started military operations on Congolese soil against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), November 30.Have you previously been consulted or informed by President Tshisekedi?
As with the establishment of the state of siege, we were the first to ask the State to act.The Head of State heard his Parliament shouting, he took this file to the case.But I remind you that even before his coming to power, the Ugandan army had already operated in eastern Congo.Why do we make it today a taboo?
If the subject is so sensitive, it is because, in the past, the Ugandan and Rwandan troops have committed massacres on Congolese soil ...
I'am aware.We were also on trial with Uganda for its entry on our soil in 1998, and Kampala was condemned.If a neighboring state causes damage to us, we will go to international courts to obtain justice.But I believe that unlike other states, Uganda has no expansionist ambition.
Is this green light given to Uganda, is it not an admission of helplessness for the DRC?
Nope.Around the world, states come to the aid of other states.We recognize certain weaknesses, but it is not an admission of failure.If it is to restore peace, we are ready to deal with the devil.
À LireRDC : Tshisekedi ouvre la porte à Museveni, Mukwege crie aux « pompiers pyromanes »After Uganda, will a green light be given in Rwanda?
I do not believe.
Paul Kagamé was November 25 in Kinshasa.Do you know how he reacted when Félix Tshisekedi informed him of the imminence of an Ugandan operation?
I don't know his reaction.But what affects the DRC and Uganda one day can touch Rwanda so we have no other solution than to cooperate.
Religious denominations cannot block everything, they have no veto right
The representatives of the Catholic and Protestant churches were firmly opposed to the appointment of Denis Kadima at the head of the CENI, confirmed in mid-October.What outcome can we find in this open crisis between religious and the state?
I think the crisis is going out, we are talking about.But I would like to underline one thing: there was no forcing to obtain the designation of Denis Kadima.We were patient in the management of this file.For three months, we waited for hoping that a consensus between the eight religious confessions is taking shape, but the religious did not get there.So we advanced.They cannot block everything, they have no veto right.
To confide in the choice of the president of the CENI to the religious, is it not to give them too much power?
The law decided, under their seriousness, their competence ... This is how.
Should we review the method of appointment of the President of the CENI?
Definitely.We will have to review things in the future.
At the end of last week, you participated in two games to try to appease the situation.What did he say?
We have indeed moved to four [with modest Bahati Lukwebo, his counterpart in the Senate;Sama Lukonde Kyenge, Prime Minister;and François Beya, special advisor to Félix Tshisekedi] at Cardinal Ambongo.It is our icon.We must respect it whatever the problem.We organized these meetings to ask him, as well as all the bishops, to turn the page and look to the future.
It is not Denis Kadima who will vote in 2023
Have they accepted?
Yes.We will continue to work together, especially on the electoral law. It is not Denis Kadima who will vote in 2023 : il n’a qu’une seule voix alors qu’il y a des dizaines de millions de votants.All together, we will examine the electoral law and set up criteria for the result that comes out of the ballot boxes is accepted by all.
According to our information, the Congo National Episcopal Conference (CENCO) requests the post of executive secretary of the CENI.Are you ready to grant them?
I am not aware of it.
À LireRDC : la Cenco reste ferme face au pouvoir de Félix TshisekediYou arrived at your post without you expecting it and you are today the dean of the Assembly.At 80, is this mandate your last political battle?
Yes, je préfère finir ma carrière fier et laisser ensuite aux jeunes générations l’avenir de ce pays.This is the duty of the elder: to communicate to young people all the secrets so that they go ahead and take over.
