International Justice/ICC: Jun/Jul '10

IWPR’s coverage of young political activists in Katanga who intimidate politicians during parliamentary sessions has been hailed as an example of how articles published in the international press can make a difference in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.

Many local journalists had been afraid to write about these young people, all supporters of the National Union of Federalist Democrats, UNAFEC, who beat drums and sang songs to venerate the speaker of the provincial parliament and the party’s head in Katanga, Gabriel Kyungu. Parliamentarians have also been beaten or threatened after plenary sessions.

When our IWPR correspondent set out to cover the subject, he was advised by a fellow journalist to drop his idea of writing about the issue. 

“It will not change anything,” he was told. “They are used to beating up those who go against their ideas or opinions of their political party.”

However, the IWPR article (Congolese Lawmakers Face Intimidation) was widely republished and not only has the intimidation ceased but local politicians have attributed the change to media coverage of the threats.

On July 15, the first day of the provincial parliament following a three month summer recess, parliamentarians returned to work to find the gangs of young people beating drums and causing a disturbance were no longer present.

“The songs, the drums, the young people dressed in the fashion of the political party – none of these are allowed in the room anymore,” said one lawmaker, Alidor Numbi. “Now, at last, work can be done peacefully. I thank the press, particularly international media, who made a lot of noise about the problem. You journalists have power; you can change many things.”

Another parliamentarian, speaking anonymously, added, “When I read [the IWPR] article, I thought that you put yourself in danger and that your item would have no great effect. Today, I realise that it was worth it because the office of the assembly has refused access to the singers that antagonised us. It is a shame that [this change has come about] only a year before our mandate comes to an end, but it's a positive sign for the future.”

On July 31, Kyungu publically reprimanded his young supporters for their behaviour and promised a new era of democratic freedom in Katanga’s parliament.

Kyungu organised a major meeting of political party activists in the Familia room of Katanga’s parliament.

“You used to beat people up,” Kyungu told his supporters. “Even in public bars, you would attack people. All who behave in this manner will be expelled from the party and, if they are not from Lubumbashi, we will return them to wherever they are from. 

“We do not want a fight. We want the 2011 elections to take place in peace. We want everyone to be able to make a free choice.”

Parliamentarians hope that the culture of intimidation that came with the drums and the singing - and which prevented them from working freely - has now gone for good.