Kinshasa, April 8th, 2025 – At the opening of the General Assembly of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Tshisekedi called on Congolese magistrates on Monday to put an end to impunity and influence peddling by upholding the law.
“The judicial independence guaranteed by our Constitution is not a personal privilege, but a collective responsibility in the service of our people. Be the guarantors of a justice system that ensures, reassures and, above all, protects the fundamental rights of every citizen. We must put an end to impunity and all forms of influence peddling”, declared Félix Tshisekedi.
The Head of State invited the men of the law to be rigorous. “I call on you to be rigorous and courageous in your decisions. Sanctions – whether positive or negative – must be at the heart of your management, and really play the role of regulator in society”, he recommended. Felix Tshisekedi said he was counting on the rejuvenation of the judiciary and expected good results. “With the current workforce, no imbalance in deployment can be tolerated. Justice officials must be chosen with discernment, on the basis of moral probity, meritocracy and competence. Favoritism must be banished once and for all”, he insisted. To this end, the President of the Republic insists on the rotation of magistrates in compliance with the texts governing this profession. “The principle of magistrate rotation is fundamental: it guarantees not only fairness, but also integrity and efficiency in the performance of your duties. The government will take all necessary steps to ensure the effective application of the resolutions resulting from your work”, he added.
Independence of powers
According to the Congolese Head of State, “the constitutional independence of the judiciary is non-negotiable”. “As guarantor of the proper functioning of the institutions, I shall personally see to the preservation of this independence. But I also invite magistrates to remember that this independence is not a privilege, it is a duty to the people”, said the Supreme Magistrate. He took the opportunity to point out that “the disciplinary power over magistrates, granted to the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, must not be exercised with complacency, nor according to a variable-geometry logic”.
“It’s time to put an end to this notion of double standards within the judiciary, because to say the law is not synonymous with being above the law”, he said, reminding the CSM office of its role. “To you too, ladies and gentlemen of the Bureau of the Superior Council of the Magistracy, I remind you that the law applies to everyone,” he insisted. The Head of State did not stop there. He called for a stronger partnership between the Government and the Superior Council of the Judiciary. “I therefore call for a stronger partnership between the Government and the Superior Council of the Magistracy, to pursue together the reforms needed to elevate our justice system”, he stressed.
And to encourage the CSM
“Ladies and gentlemen of the judiciary, I have faith in your commitment. I have faith in your ability to revive our justice system. May these meetings mark the start of a new era, that of a dignified, strong and impartial justice system”, he insisted.
This is the first time since its creation that the CSM has held an Ordinary General Meeting. It had previously met only as an Extraordinary General Meeting. CPA/