The Role of Political Parties in Promoting Good Governance and Democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Case of the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy

Abstract

This research examines the role of the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) and the Democracy and Social Progress Union (UDPS) party in promoting good governance and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Following more than two decades of Multipartyism and after the wars that have affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo especially from 1996 to 2002, the status of good governance and democracy is still of big concern while Multipartyism was introduced with the aim of fostering good governance and democratic principles. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen Congolese creating several hundred political parties but in fact good governance and democratic principles are not yet in place in the country inspite the fact that the Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced its first pluralistic elections in 2006 and 2011. The constitution adopted through a referendum held in 2005 and which came into force in 2006 has created a framework allowing for political pluralism and mechanisms for political participation, yet political participation still is a problem in the DRC especially the participation of opposition parties. On the promotion of good governance and democratic principles political parties and of course the PPRD and the UDPS are failing due to various causes, from the lack of internal democracy to the lack of financial resources. This research is a case study that uses structured and unstructured interviews. Robert Dahl’s theory of power is used to explain the extent to which the PPRD and the UDPS contribute to the promotion of good governance and democratic principles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This study recommends a rethinking of political parties settings and financing as they have the potential to bring democracy and good governance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.