Civil Service: June Salaries Already Being Paid

According to the news website Ouragan.cd, the payment of June salaries for state employees and civil servants is already underway. The process is expected to be completed before the traditional Independence Day celebrations on June 30, in line with the instructions issued by the supervisory authorities to payroll operators during the evaluation meeting of the Payroll Monitoring Committee (CSP) held on Friday, June 26. The same source reports that salary allocations for military personnel and police officers have been available to payroll operators since June 16. Funds for other categories of public employees have been released progressively. The latest measures adopted by the CSP, under the supervision of the relevant ministries, aim to ensure that the payroll process is completed according to the established schedule, allowing all state employees to celebrate the country’s Independence Day with peace of mind. The assessment of the payroll implementation was considered satisfactory by all stakeholders attending the meeting, including payroll management services, government agencies involved in the payroll chain, and payroll operators. The committee mainly recommended enhanced monitoring to ensure the completion of the remaining payments before the end of the month. This close follow-up is expected to ensure that payroll operations are finalized, at least in all major cities and urban centers, by Monday, June 29, 2026, enabling public sector workers across the country to fully enjoy the celebration of the 66th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s independence. The CSP also extended its best wishes to all public servants for a happy Independence Day celebration.

Senate Extraordinary Session: 25 Items on the Agenda, Including the “Grand Inga” and “Stand Up, Young Congolese” Bills

Just two weeks after the close of the ordinary March session, the upper house of Parliament is back in session. Beginning Friday, June 26, senators will convene for an extraordinary session with an ambitious agenda featuring 25 key items aimed at accelerating the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s socio-economic and security development. Convened at the request of the Prime Minister, this extraordinary session reflects the government’s determination to fast-track major legislative priorities. Of the 25 agenda items, 22 are draft laws considered crucial to the country’s future. Among the most significant proposals are several bills expected to have a major impact on the economy and investment climate. The Grand Inga Project stands out as one of the most anticipated initiatives. This landmark energy project seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework that will enable the DRC to harness its vast hydropower potential and position itself as a global energy powerhouse. Another key proposal is the “Stand Up, Young Congolese” Program, a bill designed to finance the Presidential Program for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship. The initiative aims to create opportunities for young Congolese entrepreneurs by supporting innovative projects and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. Senators will also examine amendments to Law No. 17/001 of February 8, 2017, governing subcontracting in the private sector. The proposed reforms seek to ensure a fairer distribution of economic benefits while promoting the emergence of a strong national middle class. Beyond these major economic reforms, the Senate will review several strategic bills, including the 2027–2030 Military Programming Bill, intended to strengthen national security and stability, as well as a bill authorizing the Government to take swift action on urgent national matters. For investors, business leaders, civil society organizations, and project developers, this extraordinary session is of strategic importance. The legislation adopted will shape future investment opportunities and define the sectors that will receive priority government support. Patrick LOKONI

International Sickle Cell Disease Day: SONAL Raises Awareness Among ISP/Gombe Students on Screening

On the occasion of International Sickle Cell Disease Day, a delegation from the National Lottery Society (SONAL), led by the Head of Marketing Department, Juvenal Kapadic, representing the Deputy Managing Director, Claude Solange Tshibaka, visited the Higher Institute of Pedagogy (ISP) of Kinshasa/Gombe on Monday, June 22, to mobilize and raise awareness among students about voluntary screening for this genetic disease that affects thousands of Congolese people. The message was clear: break the taboos surrounding sickle cell anemia (SS) and encourage students, the driving force of the nation, to undergo massive and voluntary screening. Sickle cell disease, it should be recalled, is a genetic disorder that severely affects the Democratic Republic of Congo. Youth First Faced with this silent scourge that devastates families and threatens the future of many young people, SONAL chose not to remain on the sidelines. By targeting ISP/Gombe, the organization aimed to speak directly to future educators, who will be responsible for spreading prevention messages among future generations. During his speech before an attentive audience, SONAL’s Head of Marketing, Juvenal Kapadic, representing the Deputy Managing Director Claude Solange Tshibaka, stated: > “Knowing your electrophoretic status is no longer a luxury; it is a duty towards yourself and your future children. Early screening not only helps provide better care for patients but also enables informed choices for the future of couples.” SONAL and the Health Sector This awareness campaign highlights that SONAL’s mission goes far beyond lottery activities. By investing in the health sector, the company reaffirms its role as a major social actor in the DRC. For his part, the coordinator and administrator of the NGO Congo Solidarité, Desty Kauka, said that SONAL is a valuable partner that responds positively to requests from his organization, which has been working for more than fifteen years in the Democratic Republic of Congo in several areas of social life, including orphanages and elderly care homes. The initiative was warmly welcomed by the academic authorities of ISP/Gombe, who facilitated the organization of this community-focused activity. On site, information leaflets were distributed, and clear explanations were provided by health professionals accompanying the delegation. They answered numerous questions from students, many of whom had limited knowledge about the disease and its transmission. Call for Voluntary Screening The call for voluntary screening was well received. The message appeared to resonate strongly with young people. At the end of the session, many students expressed their willingness to take the screening test. > “We often hear about sickle cell disease, but we always think it only happens to others. Today, I understood that we are all concerned. I will take my test this week,” said a medical sciences student at the institute. In closing this mobilization day, the SONAL delegation and ONG Solidarité Congo reaffirmed their commitment to supporting health structures and continuing these community awareness campaigns, convinced that education and prevention remain the most effective weapons to reduce sickle cell disease in the DRC. The two partners pledged to remain united in order to contribute to the development of the DRC as long as the needs remain. Jossart LIBULA

CENCO opposes the constitutional change project and calls for peace to be prioritized

The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) expressed its opposition this Saturday, June 20, to any initiative aimed at amending or replacing the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a public statement, the Catholic Church stated that a “forced move” in this direction could pose serious risks to the country’s stability and unity. “We believe that any forced move in this direction carries enormous risks of the balkanization of the country,” CENCO declared, highlighting its concerns about the potential consequences of such a process. The Catholic bishops said they see “neither the necessity, nor the urgency, nor the opportunity” for a constitutional change in the current context. According to them, the national priority should be focused on restoring peace and security, especially in the eastern part of the country, where armed conflicts continue. This position comes as the debate over a possible new Constitution resurfaces on the Congolese political scene. CENCO is therefore calling on authorities and political actors to focus their efforts on the security, social, and economic challenges affecting the population. The Catholic Church, which plays an influential role in Congolese public life, is reaffirming its commitment to institutional stability and the preservation of national unity. (CENCO Press)