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DR Congo: Second Term Should Focus on Rights
(Kinshasa) – Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi should ensure that human rights are central to his policies during his second term in office, Human Rights Watch said today in a “Human Rights Agenda” for his administration.
Human Rights Watch urged the Tshisekedi administration to prioritize improvements in five key areas: the rights to free expression, media freedom, and peaceful assembly; protecting civilians in conflict areas; reforming the justice system and addressing corruption; providing accountability for serious crimes; and strengthening democratic institutions.
“President Tshisekedi’s first term ended with deep uncertainty about the Congo’s worsening violence and humanitarian crises, recurrent violations of civil and political rights, and growing mistrust in democratic institutions,” said Thomas Fessy, senior Congo researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The second term is a chance to start afresh and reverse course on significant human rights backsliding.”
Tshisekedi, the declared winner of the December 2023 presidential elections, was sworn in on January 20, 2024, for a second and final five-year term. The elections were marred by logistical issues, irregularities, and violence.
Tshisekedi faces significant challenges, most immediately an uptick in violence in the eastern province of North Kivu, where an offensive by the abusive Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has dramatically affected civilians. Violence is also rife in Ituri province as militia fighters have increased attacks on and killings of civilians. Insecurity continues in and around the western province of Mai-Ndombe and among communities in the southern Katanga region.
The government has also significantly repressed the rights to free expression, media freedom, and peaceful assembly. The authorities have over the past four years increasingly cracked down-including online-on journalists, human rights and democracy activists, critics of the government, and opposition party members and officials. Security forces have repeatedly used unnecessary or excessive force, including lethal force, to block or disperse peaceful demonstrations.
Tshisekedi recently described the country’s justice system as “ill.” His administration should act to reform the justice system and address corruption, which significantly reduces the government’s capacity to deliver on its obligations to provide quality education, health care, and social security.
Widespread impunity for serious abuses remains the norm. The president should commit to take concrete measures to address recurring cycles of violence fueled by a lack of criminal accountability for grave crimes. Concrete steps are also needed to restore the Congolese people’s trust in democratic institutions.
“President Tshisekedi promised to address recurring violence, to end repression, and to improve the daily lives of all Congolese,” Fessy said. “The president should devote his second term to fulfilling these goals by working for, rather than against, human rights, the rule of law, and democratic principles.”
“Conversion to CNG May Have Contributed to Deadly Inferno”
A devastating road accident occurred on [date] at G-Hostel Junction, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, leaving multiple lives lost. An 18-seater bus caught fire, resulting in the tragic loss of passengers.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus driver had recently converted the vehicle’s fuel system from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). While the exact cause of the accident is still unknown, concerns are being raised about potential safety risks associated with the CNG conversion.
The accident resulted in the deaths of all passengers on board, with bodies burnt beyond recognition. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many offering condolences to the families of the victims.
Authorities have commenced an investigation into the accident to determine its cause and whether the CNG conversion played a role in the tragedy. The public is urged to remain vigilant and cautious when traveling.
Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time. May their souls rest in peace.
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has said it’s operatives were still investigating the alleged murder of Miss Priscilla Ocheme by her boyfriend, Ekosuehi Elvis, also known as Richard at his residence in Lugbe.
The command made the disclosure, while reacting to publications circulating on social media concerning the alleged murder incident and claims that justice may be swept under the carpet.
The Police said: “The suspect was invited for questioning by operatives of the FCT Police on September 24, 2024.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, Ekisuehi Elvis, a 30-year-old man from Oredo, Benin in Edo State, met the now deceased Priscilla at Madonna University.
“He lost contact with her when he left the university until 2019 when he came to the FCT for his youth service.
“He was a well-known family friend who frequently visited the deceased at her family home, just as she visited his.
“On September 22, 2024, she had a minor misunderstanding with her mother, which led her to leave her family home in the Karu area and go to Ekosuehi’s residence to cool off.”
“She eventually left his residence later that evening and was on her way home when she was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident at the Amala Moore junction in Pyakasa.
“They rushed her to Pyakasa Health Centre for medical attention, after which she was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, accompanied by two police detectives.
“Upon arrival at the medical centre, she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”
The price of a bag (50 kg) local rice rose year-on-year, YoY, by 152.9 percent to N95,738 in September 2024 from N37,853 in September 2023.
According to vanguard news, data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, ‘Selected Food Price Watch’ for September 2024 showed that the price of 1 kilogram (Kg) of local rice stood at N1,914.77 during the period.
The report also showed that the price of beans recorded higher growth rate at over 200 percent, YoY.
The NBS report stated: “The average price of 1kg Local rice sold loose went up by 152.92 percent on a year-on-year basis from N757.06 in September 2023 to N1,914.77 in September 2024, while there was an increase of 4.57 percent on a month-on-month basis.
“Also, the average price of 1kg of beef boneless increased by 99.99 percent on a year-on-year basis from N2,816.91 in September 2023 to N5,633.60 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.44 percent from N5,553.80 in August 2024. The average price of 1kg beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,738.59. This indicates a rise of 281.97% in price on a year-on-year basis from N716.97 recorded in September 2023 and a 6.37 percent rise in price on a month-on-month basis from N2,574.63 in August 2024.
“Agric eggs medium size (12 piece) experienced significant price increases year on year by N137.43 percent from N1,047.47 in September of last year (2023) to N2,487.04 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, the average price of this item rose by 8.64 prices from N 2,289.19 in August 2024. There was also a notable price increase of bread (sliced) by 115.74 percent on a year-on-year basis from N708.36 in September 2023 to N1,528.19 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 4.68 percent from N 1,459.85 in August 2024. The state profile analysis in September 2024 revealed that the highest average price of 1kg of Bean Brown (sold loose) was recorded in Bauchi at N3,450.04 while the lowest was in Adamawa state at N1,800.”
Giving the breakdown of prices across the states, NBS added: “The highest average price of Agric eggs medium size (12 piece) was recorded in Niger State at N3,000.84 while the lowest was in Borno State at N2,075.58.
