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Outgoing Congo Government Defends Golden Parachutes – Reuters

KINSHASA (Reuters) – The outgoing government of the Democratic Republic of Congo defended its decrees on Monday that grant former ministers lifetime salaries and benefits, despite widespread criticism in a nation where many citizens live in poverty.

Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala, who is expected to submit his resignation to incoming President Felix Tshisekedi soon, signed the controversial decrees last November, although they only came to light in the media last week.

One decree stipulates that former prime ministers, including Tshibala, will receive a monthly salary equal to 30 percent of the current prime minister’s pay, along with a monthly housing allowance of $5,000 and healthcare overseas.

Another decree outlines that former ministers will be entitled to monthly salaries equivalent to 30 percent of the current ministers’ salaries, a $1,000 monthly housing allowance, and one international business-class flight per year.

The typical monthly salary for a minister is around $4,000.

The provisions of these decrees sparked outrage from various political factions, with human rights activist George Kapiamba denouncing it as “an attempt to perpetuate a system of the pillage of public funds.”

Patrick Nkanga, a former adviser to President Joseph Kabila, who resigned last month to facilitate Tshisekedi’s ascension, also criticized the plans. He voiced concerns on social media, calling the privileges excessive and an unnecessary burden on public finances.

During a news conference, Tshibangu Kalala, an adviser to Tshibala, contended that the decrees aligned with other existing laws that grant benefits to retired officials, including former presidents and judges.

Kalala emphasized that the modest benefits provided to former high-ranking officials were not intended to enrich them but rather to ensure they did not fall into poverty and hardship post-office.

Despite being Africa’s leading producer of cobalt—an essential component for electric car batteries—the Congo remains one of the least developed countries globally, primarily due to issues of poor governance and corruption.

Kabila’s anti-corruption chief estimated in 2015 that the country loses as much as $15 billion annually due to fraudulent activities, while the annual state budget stands at approximately $5 billion.

Tshisekedi has vowed to combat corruption, but many critics express skepticism regarding his ability to dismantle the deeply rooted networks supporting it.

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