Anti-corruption bill declared admissible: CERC welcomes a long-awaited reform in the DRC

Adopted by the Council of Ministers before being sent to Parliament, the bill has 144 articles in ten titles. It aims to strengthen the prevention and punishment of corruption and illicit enrichment, as well as asset recovery. According to the Minister of Justice, the reform rests on four pillars – prevention, detection, sanction and asset recovery – and provides in particular for:

• greater transparency in public procurement;
• revised rules on asset declarations;
• special investigative techniques;
• protection for witnesses, victims, experts and good-faith whistleblowers;
• new offences, tougher penalties and criminal liability for legal entities;
• the freezing, seizure, confiscation and return of the proceeds of corruption, supported by a specialised service.

For Minister Ngefa, fighting corruption is “an imperative of sovereignty, social justice and economic development”, and the bill represents “a structural reform”.

The bill now goes to the relevant committee of the National Assembly before a possible return to plenary for a vote. It must then be examined by the Senate and promulgated by the President of the Republic. CERC calls on parliamentarians to:

• review the text quickly and thoroughly, in consultation with civil society;
• keep essential safeguards in the final version, including whistleblower protection and asset recovery;
• provide the resources needed for its effective implementation.

CERC will follow the bill closely and continue to contribute its expertise so that the DRC adopts a strong anti-corruption law that is effectively enforced.