Ebuteli unveils Landila: a new tool for government oversight in the Democratic Republic of Congo

On July 9th, the Ebuteli research institute proudly launched Landila in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This pioneering Congolese barometer is specifically engineered to oversee government operations. This civic-minded platform empowers citizens to monitor commitments made by the executive branch, gauge the extent of their fulfillment, and evaluate the outcomes of public policies.

Landila’s accessible and interactive design aims to streamline public access to information, thereby fostering greater transparency and accountability in state governance.

Through this innovative platform, Ebuteli seeks to cultivate a more informed citizen oversight of governmental activities. To delve deeper into the objectives and operational mechanics of this new instrument, we spoke with Ithiel Batumike, a researcher from Ebuteli’s political division.

Reporter : Could you elaborate on this new tool you are introducing?

Ithiel Batumike : Landila, a name derived from Kikongo meaning “to follow,” will enable citizens to assess the commitments made by the government since its inauguration in June 2024. It will provide a clear picture of what has been accomplished to date. To commence, we are focusing on six pilot ministries out of the more than forty currently in operation. These include the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender, and the Ministry of Mines. We will monitor these specific ministries to observe their prioritized commitments and track their implementation progress.

Reporter : So, this functions as an accountability tool? Meaning citizens can visit the platform, access information, and then hold elected officials responsible?

Ithiel Batumike : Precisely, that is the core objective. We are striving to furnish the public with data that empowers citizens to make informed decisions. Our aim is for this information, detailing government commitments and their execution, to guide citizens in their future choices, ensuring these are as well-informed as possible. This is a political accountability instrument, serving as a natural extension of our existing Talatala tool, which monitors parliamentary activities.

Reporter : For the average Congolese citizen, who might not be familiar with Ebuteli or your work, how do you plan to introduce Landila and ensure a broad audience adopts this tool, which is fundamentally designed for them?

Ithiel Batumike : In the past, we conducted awareness campaigns, even extending into local markets. We intend to replicate this approach, reaching out to Congolese citizens across all demographics to popularize the tool. We will also employ various communication strategies tailored to different segments of the population, ensuring widespread access to the features and vital content of this crucial political accountability instrument.