The Pan-African Anti-Corruption Network (Unis), a member of the Congo Is Not for Sale (CNPV) coalition, has released a report urging drastic reductions in government spending in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report, published on February 24, highlights excessive costs tied to political institutions and calls for urgent reforms to redirect public funds toward critical national priorities.
Abolishing the Senate to Save Millions
One of Unis’ boldest recommendations is the elimination of the Senate, a 109-member parliamentary body that also includes an honorary president and staff. The report argues that the Senate’s role is largely redundant, as the National Assembly holds the final decision-making power in legislative disputes.
“The Senate’s input is often dismissed, even when relevant, making it an unnecessary financial burden on the state,” Unis stated.
According to Unis, scrapping the Senate could save the government an estimated $91.3 million in the 2024 budget—funds that could be redirected toward pressing issues like agriculture and food security, where a quarter of the DRC’s population faces severe hunger, as reported by the United Nations.
Eliminating Outdated Institutions
The report also calls for shutting down obsolete government bodies, including the National Council for Monitoring the Saint Sylvester Agreement (CNSA). Originally established in 2016 to oversee electoral agreements, the CNSA continues to receive millions in state funding despite no longer serving a clear purpose.
📉 In 2025, the CNSA’s budget is set at 4.5 billion Congolese francs (about $2 million).
💰 In the first half of 2024 alone, the Public Treasury allocated over 1 billion FC (roughly $413,624) to the agency.
Despite a 2019 attempt by former MP Delly Sesanga to dissolve the CNSA, the proposal failed. The CNSA’s leadership continues to justify its existence, citing delayed local elections, but Unis argues that the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) has already taken over its responsibilities.
Redirecting Resources for National Development
Unis strongly criticizes the continued wasteful spending on outdated institutions, emphasizing that these funds could be better used to address food security, economic development, and other pressing social needs.
With millions of Congolese facing hunger and economic hardship, Unis is calling on policymakers to act now, ensuring that public resources are used efficiently to benefit the nation’s citizens, rather than maintaining costly and ineffective institutions.
