President Félix Tshisekedi discussed, among other things, the issue of identifying the Congolese population during his meeting on Wednesday, May 1st in Paris, France with the Congolese diaspora living in that country.

He pointed out: "Regarding the issue of dual nationality, I agree with you, being myself a member of the Congolese diaspora, I understand this difficulty. However, it is a matter that must be approached with caution and good methods. Because, for example, on the eastern side of our country, we are not only dealing with our Congolese brothers but also with infiltrators who also claim to be Congolese subjects."

The Head of State specified: "At the national level, we have started the operation to identify the population, so you too, Congolese from the diaspora, prepare to be also identified and to receive your identity cards."

On the subject of the Go Pass (an airport tax imposed on travelers) required in Kinshasa and other issues related to the life of the Congolese community living outside the national territory.

Granting nationality even to enemies?

"Be aware that the enemy's plan is to wage war, to provoke the displacement of populations, currently estimated at 2 million, forced to abandon their lands, so that they can introduce new populations, infiltrators, he revealed. And tomorrow, the Head of State continued, once we have won this war, and I promise you, upon the return of our compatriots, will we find ourselves tempted to grant nationality even to the enemies?"

For Félix Tshisekedi, another difficulty is the situation of compatriots who are not really Congolese, like the ones denounced during the election period. He believes: "They can well obtain Congolese nationality for having spent several years in the country, but the problem is their access to positions of responsibility. It is therefore a phenomenon that we must calmly delineate."

Use of the Go Pass tax for the modernization of Ndjili International Airport.

Regarding the Go Pass, the Head of State specified: "This matter of the Go Pass is surprising, as it is a tax. Instead of demanding its elimination, you should rather ask for there to be a normal use of the revenues from the Go Pass. Let them be allocated to the modernization in particular of the Ndjili International Airport where it is levied. The good idea would be to integrate it into the cost of the ticket. But if you insist, we will simply abolish it."

Speaking on the situation of Congolese from the diaspora in survival difficulties on foreign soil, for whom a fund has already been mobilized by the government for their support at the embassy level, Félix Tshisekedi noted: "It is necessary that every Congolese, even from abroad, be taken care of by his country. That his country takes care of him properly. This is why I ask you, regardless of your status or situation of stay here in France, do not hesitate to resort to your home, which is the Embassy of the DRC in France."

This is why, we have mobilized resources, more and more resources, he announced.

On the topic of assistance with the possibilities of modifying the Constitution, he explained: "It is not within my power to change the Constitution, but there are methods, and the population must express itself through its representatives. It is not my competence, for fear that I may resemble a dictator."

Boni Tsala