No one is above the Law
March 15, 2018
One of the major obstacles to development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a persistent resistance to the rule of law. Leaders from all rungs of the political ladder get away with crime and they fight tooth and nail anyone who would dare challenge them. The masses, powerless and terrorized, have no other choice but to accept this state of affairs as their rights are trampled underfoot.
The powerful and the rich get off scot free because of their standing in society. When faced with allegations of crimes, in many instances, senators, parliamentarians, party officials, and ministers, simply flash their badges or have judges, lawyers or police arrested, or worse yet, they plead immunity. Therefore the power of the wealthy and the well connected makes it difficult for law enforcement officers to do their job and be effective.
In a land mired in poverty, where the poor barely make two dollars a day, it is easier to manipulate the legal system to one’s advantage. Police officers like most government employees are underpaid; and when they are paid, their wages are a portion of what they should be. More often than not, corruption becomes a source of income and a means to feeding their families.
The cycle of underpaid public agents, the unfettered access to money by the powerful and their above-the-law stance make it difficult to have a legal system that is just, fair and equitable. There shouldn’t be a legal system based on socio-economic status, ethnic background, party affiliation or connections. Everybody is equal under the law.
The notion that the country and its institutions only work for certain groups must be shattered. Police officers and members of the military must be inspired to abide by the law and become agents who will follow and apply the rule of law. They must be discouraged from taking bribes and letting people off the hook in exchange for money.
In order to curb the scourge of corruption in society, it is imperative to hire the right people for the job, educate law enforcement officers and judges, train them in moral and ethical values, and pay them adequately and regularly so that they never have to resort to a life of crime in order to make ends meet. Conversely, the well-connected and the ‘powerful’ must understand that there are consequences to corruption, such as jail time or stiff fines. With fairness, transparency, checks and balances, and a strict adherence to the rule of law at all levels of society, the situation in the DRC may improve for the better.
Patrick Munongo