[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_font_size=”13px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Olivier Kamitatu Etsu, one of the founding members of\u00a0 “Ensemble pour la Republique”, Speaker of Moise Katumbi | Wikimedia Photo<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”left” text_orientation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The thesis is as bold as it is polarizing, in other words: <\/span>Is the DRC Too Big to Stay Centralized?<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The “40% Fiction” and the Case for Survival<\/strong><\/p>\n The argument for federalism isn’t just an administrative preference; it\u2019s a cry for survival from the periphery. Under the current 2006 Constitution, provinces are technically entitled to keep 40%<\/strong> of the revenue they generate. In practice, however, this “retrocession” has become a fiction. Kinshasa remains a black hole, often retaining nearly every cent, leaving local governments to beg for the crumbs needed for basic roads, clinics, and security.<\/p>\n Proponents argue that a centralized bureaucracy in Kinshasa simply cannot manage a landmass the size of Western Europe with competence and professionalism. Expecting one desk to simultaneously handle the mining logistics of Katanga, the agricultural stagnation of \u00c9quateur, and the complex security crises of the East has historically led to nothing but “centrally managed neglect.”<\/p>\n The Opposition\u2019s Blueprint: The 60-30-10 Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n The federalist movement gained significant momentum following the 2025 roadmap proposed by Olivier Kamitatu<\/strong> and supported by Mo\u00efse Katumbi\u2019s<\/strong> Ensemble pour la R\u00e9publique<\/em>. Their vision<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>seeks to replace the broken “retrocession” system with Direct Retention<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Beyond the money, the roadmap calls for Provincial Police<\/strong> and civil defense units\u2014a move that would finally institutionalize regional security in a country where the national army (FARDC) has been mismanaged.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n In April 2025, Olivier Kamitatu<\/b> highlighted that the decentralization promised by the 2006 Constitution has remained ineffective, as provinces continue to depend on Kinshasa for both their resources and decision-making. Given the failure of the unitary model, he proposes a transition to federalism based on six major historical regions: Orientale, \u00c9quateur, Kongo, Kasa\u00ef, Katanga, and Kivu.<\/b><\/p>\n He added that \u201cfederalism would enable a governance of proximity<\/b>, tailored to local realities, while promoting the country\u2019s linguistic and cultural diversity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tech-biz.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-06-125551.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-04-06 125551″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_font_size=”13px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\n