Kinshasa, March 20, 2025 – Political and administrative staff of the Kinshasa Provincial Assembly have launched a protest against budget mismanagement and salary injustices by provincial deputies and the bureau.
In a statement released after a meeting on Wednesday, March 19, the protesting staff accused lawmakers of doubling their own salaries while monopolizing the entire 2025 budget allocation of 2 billion CDF, a figure reportedly approved in consultation with the city’s governor.
“This is an outrageous act of self-enrichment at the expense of public servants who have dedicated themselves to the smooth functioning of the Assembly,” said one of the protesting employees.
They argue that this decision blatantly contradicts President Félix Tshisekedi’s directives to reduce institutional expenditures and redirect funds toward supporting the armed forces in the eastern DRC.
“It is unacceptable that while our soldiers are sacrificing their lives on the frontlines, our own deputies are prioritizing their personal gain over the nation’s interests,” another staff member lamented.
Despite their critical role in the assembly’s operations, administrative workers claim they have been completely excluded from the budget, even as they endure over three months of unpaid salaries. They denounce this as a serious violation of the assembly’s internal regulations, specifically Articles 145 and 146.
“The very people who should be ensuring the rule of law within the Assembly are violating its own regulations,” an employee stated. “How can they expect loyalty and efficiency from us when they treat us with such disregard?”
Calling on President Tshisekedi as the guarantor of institutional integrity, the workers urged him to intervene and address the ongoing crisis within the Kinshasa Provincial Assembly.
“We are appealing to the Head of State to take immediate action before this situation escalates further,” the statement read.
Frustrated by inaction, they announced a total shutdown of services until further notice, a boycott of the upcoming parliamentary session on March 31, 2025, and large-scale protests until their demands are met.
“With empty pockets and broken promises, we have no choice but to fight for our rights,” a protest leader declared.
With tensions rising in Kinshasa’s political scene, all eyes are now on the government’s response to this growing crisis.