DRC National Assembly accepts new anti-corruption bill

The National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has declared a new anti-corruption bill admissible following a general debate in Kinshasa. Presented by the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko Andali, the bill consists of 144 articles aimed at strengthening the legal framework for preventing and punishing corruption and illicit enrichment.

The proposed legislation is designed to align with international standards, such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Key components include prevention, detection, repression, and the recovery of assets derived from corrupt practices. Notable innovations within the bill include the expansion of asset declaration requirements for all public officials, strict regulations on political party financing, and the prohibition of using state assets for electoral purposes.

To enhance enforcement, the bill introduces a special procedure with extended statutes of limitations and the inversion of the burden of proof for cases of illicit enrichment. It also mandates that private sector companies implement anti-corruption mechanisms and prohibits opaque accounting practices. The bill has been referred to the political, administrative, and judicial commission for detailed examination and potential amendments before returning to the plenary session for final adoption.