In response to claims that discussions regarding constitutional changes are merely a distraction from governance issues, Jean-Claude Tshilumbayi has provided a comprehensive overview of the progress achieved since 2019. The First Vice President of the National Assembly detailed a series of significant milestones that define the current administration’s record.
Social impact and educational reform
A major highlight of the social agenda is the implementation of free primary education, which has successfully integrated six million children into the school system. Furthermore, the administration has prioritized maternal health, providing free delivery services to approximately 2.5 million women across the RDC.
Addressing the state of the civil service, the UDPS leadership noted that they inherited a chaotic payroll in 2018. This included one million public employees who lacked proper registration or salaries, alongside 400,000 additional workers who had been unpaid for years. According to official statements, all these individuals have now been regularized and are receiving their wages.
Healthcare and public sector improvements
The healthcare sector has seen a dramatic shift in both workforce and compensation. The number of state-paid doctors has surged from 1,700 to 7,800. Simultaneously, their monthly earnings have risen from $300 to $2,400. Similar salary adjustments were reported for members of the judiciary and the police force, with the latter seeing an increase from a mere $80 per month to more sustainable levels.
Infrastructure and economic growth
The physical landscape of the RDC is also undergoing a transformation. The road network has expanded from 3,000 kilometers to 9,000 kilometers over the past seven years. Infrastructure projects include the construction of 1,500 schools, several world-class universities, and modern airports. Notably, seven major hospitals have been built, including the revitalization of the Mama Yemo hospital, a facility that had been neglected for over a century.
On the economic front, the national budget has grown from $3 billion to $18 billion. This fiscal expansion is accompanied by a significant increase in foreign exchange reserves. Advocates of the current administration argue that these results speak for themselves, dismissing claims of failure as a “ridiculous debate” and focusing instead on the democratic expression of the Congolese people.