Under the title: "DRC: freedom of expression ‘threatened’", Forum des As reports that JED (Journalist in Danger) deplores the pressure, censorship, threats, and arbitrary arrests that journalists in the DRC are subjected to.

Indeed, on the occasion of the celebration this Friday, May 3, of World Press Freedom Day, "Journalist in Danger" (JED) brings the world's attention to the pressures, censorship, threats, attacks, and arrests that many journalists operating in the DRC are victims of.

On the same occasion, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the main partner of JED, publishes its annual ranking of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the world. In total, there are 180 countries whose media ecosystems are analyzed and assessed concerning, in particular, the normative and institutional framework of the practice of journalism, freedom of expression, and the right of access to public information, independence of public media, and the safety of journalists.

For Sadibou Marong, head of RSF's Africa bureau, "the timid progress of the DRC in this year's ranking should not overshadow the numerous aggressions and threats that journalists have faced in 2023, especially in the run-up to the presidential elections in December 2023, the kidnapping of a journalist and the pressure experienced by the media from M23 rebels in North Kivu…"

"The DRC sick from the digital world", headlines Le Phare. In its issues No. 7276 of April 3, 2024, and No. 7285 of Tuesday, April 16, 2024, Le Phare made a serious revelation about the absence of the signature of the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the seal on the ordinary Congolese biometric passport, while emphasizing the urgent necessity of auditing the Semlex contract, which had cost 222 million dollars, taken from the pockets of the Congolese and which had expired on June 10, 2022.

While these issues are still not digested, another scam is on the horizon: it is the "signing of a new contract between the DRC, represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the German firm DERMALOG, valued at 48 million USD".

AfricaNews reports that Kabuya contravenes Decree-Law no.17/2002. Indeed, his mandate as national deputy already validated, the chief of the presidential party, Augustin Kabuya, claims the vehicles seized by the ANR for investigative reasons, suspiciously destined at one point for provincial deputies, public officials of the state like him.

Protests have erupted in the process, compelling Augustin Kabuya to come out of his lair to claim these automobiles, legitimize his gift, and wave the "motivation" argument.

Material error corrections at the Constitutional Court, "(...) the Collective of 19 National Deputies denounces and seeks the involvement of Félix Tshisekedi", announces La Prospérité.

In the run-up to the election of new members of the permanent Bureau of the Lower House of Parliament within the framework of the 4th legislature, the 19 national deputies invalidated following the hearings dedicated to the correction of material errors call on the high court to rectify its ruling in order to allow them to sit properly in the National Assembly.

Ilenda wa Ilenda