OBSERVATORY STATEMENT IN THE DRC: Consideration of proposals expected in the new constitution of the DRC. Who will benefit from this review? What is the interest in the development of the DRC and the welfare of its people?

As part of its fifth edition, we want to take a critical look at the draft constitutional revision; This speech, which has been making the headlines of the media scene and fuelling public debates for the past few months.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is going through a particularly critical period in its history. On the security front, the eastern part of the country continues to face a persistent war, marked by armed violence that seriously affects civilian populations.

At the political level, the climate is characterized by increasing tensions, increased challenges to institutions and deep questions about governance, legitimacy of leaders and the democratic future of the country. In this fragile context, the idea of a constitutionalrevision sparks intense debate in public opinion.

For some, this revision could be an opportunity to correct institutional weaknesses and adapt to current realities. For others, it raises concerns about possible drifts, including the risk of consolidating power to the detriment of democratic alternation.

In view of this news, it seemed essential to devote this edition of the observatory to critical, pluralistic and calm reflections, allowing us to examine the proposals expected in the new constitution, the real interests they serve, their

potential impact on the development of the DRC, as well as their contribution (or not) to the well-being of the Congolese people.

In a context marked by both insecurity, political tensions and the deep aspirations of the Congolese people for fair and effective governance, this conference is intended as an area of clarity and responsibility.

During these exchanges, we will try to propose an answer to the question:

« Will constitutional review be a lever of collective progress or an instrument for the benefit of particular interests? »

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OBSERVATORY STATEMENTS IN THE DRC: « The Israeli-American war against Iran: a threat to international security?»

The Centre Arrupe pour la Recherche et la Formation (CARF)'s RD Congo News Observatory is an expression platform accessible to academics, civil society actors, public decision makers, young researchers and the general population. Its mission is to analyse socio-economic, political and environmental issues both internationally and in DR Congo, with particular emphasis on their impact on human communities.

As part of the fourth edition, we want to explore the Israeli-American war against Iran; a conflict whose repercussions could profoundly affect global geopolitics.

A key regional power and symbol of resistance to American hegemony in the Middle East, Iran faces several Israeli-American strategies, including international and regional isolation, military encirclement, attempts to destabilize power and the imposition of economic sanctions. In this tense context, the American political discourse sells to the world's general public, the image of an anti-terrorist struggle and the promotion of democracy, whereas at the core, the motivations are rather economic, financial and geostrategic. We note with HOURCADE B. that the Iranian economy is based on hydrocarbons: oil alone accounts for 80% of exports and almost 60% of budgetary revenues.

Faced with the outstretched hand of the international community on the subject of the nuclear programme, the Iranian regime has always shown a closed fist.

Despite the serious consequences of the development of its nuclear programme, this State has never shown the will to renounce it because of its dissuasive scope in view of the threat of Western invasion of its territory.

Powered by ideological, political and security differences; This crisis has been intensified in the last time by targeted military operations and indirect confrontations which follow the logic of a form of regional competition.

History will remember the episode of the twenty-eighth day of February 2026, during which military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran triggered an open war between the parties involved in the conflict.

This conflict raises serious concerns about international geopolitics. It highlights the risks of climbing beyond the regional framework. Its impact is already felt on energy security and on the functioning and stability of international markets.

Terms of reference (TDR) for the recruitment of a consultant for research and publication on mining rights and field reality in the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba

Project: Support for small-scale mining for a supply chain
responsible for the marketing of cobalt in Upper Katanga and Lualaba

Title of consultation: Research and publication on mining rights and land reality in the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba
Type of contract: Consultation
Duration of consultation: 3 months
Recruiter: CARF
Funding: N/A

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The mining legal framework in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, governed mainly by the Mining Code and its implementing measures, devotes a set of rights and obligations to States, mining companies, artisanal operators and local communities.

However, there are still many gaps between legal norms and reality on the ground, particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining areas.

In the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, these differences are manifested by conflicts of access to resources, a lack of knowledge of mining rights among local actors, persistent informal practices, and violations of economic, social and environmental rights of riparian communities.

In view of this, CARF wishes to document in a rigorous and contextualised way the reality of the application of mining rights, by comparing legal provisions with practices observed on the ground. The aim of this research is to produce a reference publication, accessible to public decision makers, civil society organisations, mining actors and technical partners, in order to inform debates and guide future reforms and actions.

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Terms of reference (TDR) for the recruitment of a consultant to draft a guide on the approach to the development, monitoring of indicators and evaluation of the management of public affairs

The management of public affairs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in strategic sectors such as artisanal mining, continues to face major challenges in planning, monitoring performance and evaluating public policies. The absence or weakness of methodological frameworks adapted to the definition and monitoring of indicators limits the effectiveness of public actions, the accountability of institutions and the informed participation of citizens.

As part of the project to support small-scale mining and a responsible supply chain for cobalt in Upper Katanga and Lualaba, CARF wishes to have a practical and contextualised guide. This guide will need to equip public actors, civil society organizations and technical partners on relevant approaches to the development of indicators, monitoring and evaluation and analysis of the management of public affairs, taking into account local and institutional realities.

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