Kongo Central: Proposed edict on customary land management deemed admissible

Matadi, June 19^th, 2025 (CPA).–On Thursday, the provincial assembly of Kongo Central ruled admissible the proposed edict setting out the terms and conditions for the management and protection of customary lands in this province (south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo), initiated by a provincial representative from Madimba. ‘The draft edict initiated by the Honourable N’tunga has been declared admissible. It will be forwarded to the PAJ committee for review, with a deadline of five days to submit the report to us,’ has said Papy Mantezolo, president of the Kongo Central Provincial Assembly. ‘This proposed edict aims to provide the province with a clear legal framework for the management of customary lands, which are often exposed to illegal sales and conflicts between land rights holders on the one hand, and the land administration and farmers on the other,’ has said Billy N’tunga, author of this legislative initiative. According to its author, this edict addresses the recurring problems of land conflicts in rural areas, caused in particular by the disorderly sale of land by certain traditional chiefs or rights holders. When approached by the press, the Madimba representative explained that the motivation for this initiative arose from his experiences in the field, particularly during parliamentary recesses, when he is regularly confronted with numerous land-related problems that plunge the population into a precarious situation. Provincial deputy Billy N’tunga warned of the increased covetousness of customary land, both by nationals and foreigners, and cited Kongo Central as one of the provinces most exposed to these practices, unlike certain other provinces that have already initiated similar land protection measures. ACP/