A political storm has erupted in the Kongo Central Provincial Assembly, as 23 of the 39 deputies submitted a petition demanding the resignation of the Bureau led by Mantezolo, just hours before a parliamentary session scheduled for Tuesday, September 30.
The dissenting MPs accuse the current Bureau of a series of serious failings, including obstructing parliamentary initiatives, repeated violations in the awarding of public contracts—covering the purchase of vehicles and construction of the Assembly’s new headquarters—alleged embezzlement of funds, and a lack of transparency in the management of over 200 million Congolese francs allocated during the Conference of Presidents of Provincial Assemblies.
The petition, spearheaded by Honorable Muntu Lezi (UDPS/Tshisekedi) from Boma, quickly gained the backing of prominent figures in the chamber, including Atou Matubuana, Guylain Panzu, Pierre Kabangu, Billy Ntunga, and Omega Mbadu.
Observers describe the move as unprecedented in recent Kongo Central political history, highlighting deep divisions within the Provincial Assembly and growing frustration with the management of public resources.
The timing of the revolt coincides with an official provincial tour by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, a native of Kongo Central, who began her visit on Monday.
The alignment of these events has thrust the local institutional crisis into the national spotlight, raising questions about governance, oversight, and political accountability at both provincial and central levels.
Political analysts warn that the confrontation could have wider implications for the stability of provincial institutions and may influence ongoing debates over transparency and parliamentary reform across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As the September 30 session approaches, attention now turns to whether the Bureau will respond to the petition, and how the Assembly will navigate this unprecedented challenge to its leadership.
The coming days are expected to test both political alliances and the strength of institutional procedures within the province.
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