In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Minister for Decentralization and former Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa again faced MPs on Tuesday 27 October. He was accused of using his influence to allow the creation of the municipality of Minembwe, where his community, Banyamulenge, is in the majority. He was questioned on a whole range of issues, from the legality of the procedure used to the boundaries of his province. At the end of this reaction session, a deputy once again requested that the Prime Minister resign.
With our special correspondent in Kinshasa, Sonia Rolley
Azarias Ruberwa answered point by point. He first claimed it Landkommunen Minembwe did not go beyond the borders of Fizi’s territory. And secured before deputies see no objection to the creation of the Boundary Commission announced by the Congolese head of state.
But for the former vice president, it would be “discriminatory” to control the borders of Minembwe only when more than 500 municipalities were created by the same decree, or even cancel this decree because of Minembwe municipality.
The second point that Minister Ruberwa insisted on is the legality of the procedure, which involved more than one actor, Minister of the Interior, Governor of South Kivu, Provincial Minister of the Interior … But nothing did. The person who challenged him, MP Muhindo Nzangi, was called to conclude. He returned to all his accusations and assured that the municipality had invaded Mwenga’s territory, that it did not meet the criteria for the creation of a municipality and that it had been fraudulently established. This MP demanded the resignation of the Minister, whom he accuses of having used his influence to favor his community. “Dismissal, dismissal!” Began shouting deputies. The honorable Muhindo Nzangi from the ranks of the opposition received a standing ovation.
► Also read: Minembwe affair in DRC: doctor Mukwege angry at politicians
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