DRC: closure of the General Assembly of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary

Kinshasa April 17^th, 2025 (CPA) – The Ordinary General Assembly of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM), which opened on Tuesday April 8^th at the Court of Cassation in the north of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will come to a close on Thursday, according to a press release published on the body’s social network. ‘Wednesday April 16^th, 2025 marks the end of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) at the Court of Cassation in Kinshasa. After several days of discussions in plenary and in committee, the magistrates are finalising the adoption of the recommendations arising from the proceedings. The work continues today, with the presentation of the resolutions in plenary, before the official closing scheduled for this Thursday April 17^th, 2025’, it was read. According to the same source, the discussions focused on a number of major themes, including the CSM’s 2022-2025 global report, taking stock of the judiciary, the reforms planned to strengthen the efficiency and independence of the justice system, and the social protection of magistrates, with presentations by the National Social Security Fund for State Employees (CNSSAP) and Activa on social security and insurance schemes. The theme of transitional justice was also addressed, with a presentation by the National Fund for Reparations to Victims of Conflict-related Sexual Violence and Victims of Crimes against Peace and the Security of Mankind (FONAREV) on the restoration of victims’ rights, the activity reports of specialised services such as the Inspectorate of Judicial and Penitentiary Services and documentation. The body also announced that eight commissions and sub-commissions had been set up to examine these issues in greater depth. These include the magistrates ‘careers commission, magistrates’ ethics and discipline, finance and budget, planning and information management, social affairs, training, legislation and status, and new telecommunications and information technologies (NTIC) and communication. Dieudonne Kamuleta, Chairman of the CSM, took the opportunity to call for the commitment of everyone involved to reach resolutions that meet the expectations of the Congolese people. The session was also attended by guests from public and private institutions, as well as technical and financial partners, underlining the importance of multi-sector collaboration in strengthening the judiciary, it was noted.