The National Assembly rejected the motion of no confidence targeting the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Interior, Security, Decentralization and Customary Affairs, Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, following a procedural motion. A procedural motion tabled by MP Gary Sakata prevented the motion of no confidence against the Deputy Prime Minister for the Interior from being considered.

During the debate on the admissibility of the motion of no confidence in the National Assembly, MP Gary Sakata strongly criticized the procedural form, calling for the outright rejection of the motion. His stance was part of a strategy aimed at undermining the motion even before its formal consideration. 

A procedural motion tabled by MP Gary Sakata and approved by the plenary session has led to the suspension of the debate on the motion of no confidence against the Deputy Prime Minister for the Interior and Security. He is challenging the admissibility of the motion of no confidence targeting Deputy Prime Minister for the Interior Jacquemin Shabani Lukoo. According to the MP, at least six of the names listed among the signatories are problematic. He cited the inclusion of individuals who do not hold the status of national MP, as well as spelling errors that could call into question the authenticity of the document. These factors, he argued, undermine the motion’s credibility and justify its inadmissibility.

If confirmed, these irregularities prevent the majority from proceeding with the motion without first holding a plenary vote.

“By this vote, the incidental motion raised by the Honorable Sakata is adopted. The approval of this incidental motion thus brings the consideration of the motion of no confidence to an end. It is therefore not appropriate to proceed with either a debate or a vote on it,” declared Aimé Boji, Speaker of the lower house of Parliament.

Tabled by MP Laddy Yangotikala, the motion of no confidence targeted Jacquemain Shabani over his handling of the growing insecurity in the DRC’s major cities and his interventions in provincial affairs, which were deemed unlawful. Although the Assembly’s bureau had initially validated the motion, its rejection via an incidental motion was interpreted by some observers as a form of political protection within the Union Sacrée majority.

This episode could well mark a turning point in parliamentary strategies, where form sometimes takes precedence over substance, redefining the rules of the political game in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This episode once again illustrates the persistent tensions within the Congolese political scene, where procedural battles become decisive weapons. Thanks to this rejection, Jacquemain Shabani retains his post within the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma