The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has endured a heartless and deadly history, orchestrated by both Western powers and the local Congolese bourgeoisie for millenniums. While the faces of the oppressors may have changed throughout time, the atrocities and the plundering have continued unabated, reaching new heights under Tshisekedi’s four-year rule.
Tshisekedi’s regime orchestrated the theft and illicit sale of DRC’s minerals to foreign entities, all while pointing fingers at Rwanda as a diversionary tactic. Today, the mine contracts are secured through bribing Tshisekedi and his rabidly corrupt ruling class in Kinshasa. This cabal, known throughout the world for its corruption, has plunged 99% of the population into an enduring state of grief, shedding tears, and flowing blood.
For a start, the Congolese finance minister recently declared a staggering loss of at least USD 3.71 billion in 2023 due to dubious mining and oil deals. This colossal sum vanished into thin air through Vidiye Tshimanga, once the mouthpiece for Tshisekedi’s election campaign and latter a top adviser in his cabinet. Tshimanga was caught red-handed last year, offering to exploit his connections to Tshisekedi to sidestep regulations in exchange for a lucrative share of the ill-gotten gains.
Adding to the theft, a recent audit showed the embezzlement of hundreds of millions of dollars by Tshisekedi and his cronies from Gécamines, the state-controlled mining company. The $530 million in taxes and $61 million in loans, supposedly paid by Gécamines to the government, vanished into Tshisekedi’s coffers. An additional $175 million, designated as a signing bonus for a copper and cobalt project, disappeared into thin air, leaving no trace in the national treasury.
Moreover, Tshisekedi has allowed foreigners to plunder DRC’s minerals and establish illicit mining enterprises. Operating under the auspices of Washington and international mining interests, Tshisekedi’s regime embodies the fanonist concept of aligning interests between imperialist capital and the post-colonial national bourgeoisie. This alignment facilitates the operations of global corporations within the country, fulfilling the historic mission of serving as a profiteering intermediary. In this context, Tshisekedi has granted mining licenses to multinational corporations including Glencore (Belgium) and Kamoto Copper Company (China), to the extent that they both hold 25% share of the state-owned Gécamines, respectively.
As a consequence, Tshisekedi and his ilk thrive while everyday Congolese citizens perish from hunger. Tshisekedi, in cahoots with both domestic and foreign commercial partners, consistently disregards Congo’s national interests. Instead, they pursue personal gains, leaving the Congolese people to bear the brunt of their selfish pursuits. It doesn’t take a genius to recognize that the plight of Congo—one of the world’s most resource-rich yet destitute and backward nations—is predominantly a consequence of leaders like Tshisekedi.
Finally, the DRC remains among the world’s poorest, with GDP per capita and HDI scores ranking eleventh and twelfth lowest, respectively. With 63% living below the national poverty line, 74% lacking clean water, 94% without electricity, and an 18% secondary school completion rate, the Congolese endure various social afflictions. To alleviate this suffering, the Congolese must overthrow the new Leopold-esque Tshisekedi come next Wednesday’s presidential elections in the DRC.
ellenkampire