Republic of the Congo: The Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (Mouvement congolais pour la démocratie et le développement intégral, MCDDI), including its objectives, activities, leaders, participation in government, role as part of the opposition, and treatment of its members by authorities (January 2015-November 2015)

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Origins and Objectives

Some sources note that the MCDDI is a political party that was founded [[translation] "clandestinely" (MCDDI n.d.a.)] in 1989 by Bernard Kolélas (PHW 2015, 336; MayimaMbemba 30 Nov. 2012; MCDDI n.d.a.). According to the MCDDI website, the party was officially founded by Bernard Kolélas in 1990 (MCDDI n.d.b).

According to the MCDDI website, its principles are [translation] "Justice, Work and Fraternity," with the "goal of building a strong and united Congo" (ibid.). According to the Statutes (Statuts) of the MCDDI, which are published on its website,

[translation]

The MCDDI is a mass movement. Its main objective is to create and improve the conditions for the development of the whole person, body, mind and spirit, through the economic, social, cultural and political promotion of the Congolese people and country. The goal is to guarantee the humanistic and transparent management of public affairs for the Congolese people by supporting them in political action on religious ethics and spiritual values. (ibid. 30 May 2008a)

A copy of the Statutes of the MCDDI is attached to this Response (Attachment 1).

2. Party Leaders

According to the Political Handbook of the World (PHW), the party's former leader, Bernard Kolélas, died in 2009; his son, Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas, was subsequently appointed interim party president, then permanent president in 2012 (PHW 2015, 336). Other sources also note that Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas is the secretary general of the party (Congo-site 12 July 2015; RFI 5 Aug. 2015; MCDDI n.d.b). Some sources indicate that Bernard Tchibambelela is the deputy secretary general (ADIAC 21 July 2014; MCDDI n.d.c; Congo-site 12 July 2015). These sources also indicate that Noël Loutounou is the permanent deputy secretary of the party (ibid.; ADIAC 21 July 2014; MCDDI n.d.d). According to PHW, Jacques Mahouka is a party leader, but his role is not indicated (2015, 336).

In an interview with Radio France internationale (RFI) in August 2015, Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas stated that he would be the MCDDI candidate in the 2016 presidential election (RFI 5 Aug. 2015).

The MCDDI website provides a list of the general secretariat and a list of names of national advisors (MCDDI n.d.e). The list is attached to this Response (Attachment 2).

3. Structure

The Statutes (Attachment 1) and the Internal Regulations (Règlement intérieur) (attachment 3) of the MCDDI are attached to this Response.

4. Participation Within Government

Sources indicate that in the 2012 elections, the MCDDI won 7 seats (PHW 2015, 336; Journal de Brazza 9 Aug. 2012; Congo-site 8 August 2012) of the 136 seats in the National Assembly (ibid.). The list of those who were elected (Attachment 4) is attached to this Response.

According to the Republic of the Congo Country Report published in 2014 by the Bertelsmann Foundation (Bertelsmann Stiftung) [1], "A large part of former opposition parties," including the MCDDI, "has been co-opted into the presidential system" (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2014, sec. 5). This source also indicates that the MCDDI "chose to cooperate" with the Congolese Labour Party (Parti congolais du travail, PCT), the President's party (ibid.). Similarly, other sources indicate that the MCDDI is a government majority party (Œil d'Afrique 6 Aug. 2015; Congopage 8 Apr. 2015). According to Congopage.com, a [translation] "a portal for news, analysis and discussion about Congo Brazzaville" (Congopage.com n.d.), the MCDDI is the [translation] "second largest majority party after the [PCT] in terms of deputies and representation in the government" (ibid. 8 Apr. 2015). Similarly, the BBC notes that the MCDDI is the "second largest party in the presidential majority" (BBC 5 Apr. 2015).

The Bertelsmann Stiftung report states that the MCDDI is strategically important to President Denis Sassou Nguesso because it has a strong constituency in Brazzaville and within the Bacongo ethnic group (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2014, sec. 5). This source describes the MCDDI as a "co-opted, but potentially opposition" party and states that the relationship between the ruling party and the MCDDI remains "uneasy and burdensome" (ibid., sec. 1, 5).

Some sources note that the secretary general of the MCDDI, Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas, was the minister of the Civil Service and State Reform (Fonction publique et de la Réforme de l'État) (MCDDI n.d.f; AFP 16 Sept. 2009) since 2009 (ibid.). He was removed in 2015 (see section 5, below) (Star Africa 11 Aug. 2015; IHS Global Insight 12 Aug. 2015; APA 11 Aug. 2015a).

5. Role of the MCDDI as Part of the Opposition

According to several sources, Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas opposed the President's plan to change the constitution in order to lift the twoterm limit on the presidency of the country, which would allow current president Sassou Nguesso to run in the upcoming presidential elections in 2016 (StarAfrica 11 Aug. 2015; RFI 5 Aug. 2015; Le Pays n.d.). A statement signed by the secretary general of the MCDDI and posted on the party's website indicates that the MCDDI is opposed to the proposed constitutional amendment (MCDDI 12 July 2015). Similarly, African media reports that the MCDDI, along with other opposition political parties, took part in the [translation] "alternative dialogue" held in Brazzaville on 26 July 2015 to express opposition to the proposed constitutional changes (APA 30 July 2015; La Semaine africaine 29 July 2015).

Some sources report that President Sassou NGuesso removed two ministers from his government, including Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas, because of their opposition to the proposed constitutional changes (IHS Global Insight 12 Aug. 2015; APA 11 Aug. 2015a; Jeune Afrique and AFP 11 Aug. 2015). This cabinet shuffle took place on Monday, 10 August 2015 (Republic of the Congo 10 Aug. 2015; RFI 11 Aug. 2015). According to sources, in this same shuffle, Landry Euloge Kolélas joined the Sassou Nguesso government and became minister of Trade and Supplies (Commerce et des Approvisionnements) (ibid.; APA 11 Aug. 2015a; Jeune Afrique and AFP 11 Aug. 2015); he is the brother of the secretary general and a member of the MCDDI (ibid.; APA 11 Aug. 2015a). Some sources indicate that Landry Euloge Kolélas, who declared that he supports the constitutional referendum, thus opposes his brother, Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas (Œil d'Afrique 13 Aug. 2015; ADIAC 10 Aug. 2015).

According to an article published by France24 with the Agence France-Presse (AFP), on 25 October 2015, the Congolese government held a referendum on the proposed constitutional amendment; the [translation] "yes" side earned 92.26 percent of the votes and, consequently, the draft of the new constitution will be enacted by the President (France24 with AFP 27 Oct. 2015). According to some sources, the participation rate in this vote was 72.44 percent (ibid.; SlateAfrique with AFP 29 Oct. 2015; iTélé 27 Oct. 2015). However, an article published by Jeune Afrique with AFP reports that the First Secretary of the PanAfrican Union for Social Democracy (Union panafricaine pour la démocratie sociale, UPADS), the largest opposition party in parliament, said that the participation rate was less than 10 percent (Jeune Afrique with AFP 26 Oct. 2015).

6. Treatment of Opponents to the Constitutional Changes by the Authorities

According to some sources, four opponents to the proposed constitutional changes were killed by Congolese law enforcement (France24 with AFP 21 Oct. 2015; Slate Afrique 21 Oct. 2015), when hundreds of protestors took to the streets on 20 October 2015 (ibid.). Information on the party to which these four victims belonged could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the Congolese minister of the Interior, cited by the BBC,

[translation]

According to preliminary reports on this organized and coordinated uprising, there have been four deaths, including three in Brazzaville and one in PointeNoire; seven people were wounded and have been hospitalized in Brazzaville; and three law enforcement officers suffered serious injuries (BBC 20 Oct. 2015).

According to the International Federation for Human Rights (Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme, FIDH) and the Congolese Observatory of Human Rights (Observatoire congolais des droits de l'homme, OCDH), on 21 October 2015, police violence against protestors who opposed the constitutional reform led to the deaths of five civilians, including three in Brazzaville and at least two in PointeNoire (FIDH and OCDH 21 Oct. 2015). Human Rights Watch notes that, according to local activists, the death toll is much higher (Human Rights Watch 3 Nov. 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

7. Treatment of MCDDI Members by the Authorities

In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, whose research is focused on the political situation in the Republic of Congo and who has completed field research in the country, stated that the government of President Sassou Nguesso "targets" MCDDI leaders and party members who express their political opinions and that "the MCDDI has always been among the historical opponents of the Sassou regime"(Postdoctoral researcher 24 Nov. 2015). He noted that the government targets "community organizers" in order to prevent protests from emerging (ibid.). The same source also stated that "there have been documented cases of assassination and arbitrary arrest" and that MCDDI members have been arrested because of their party membership (ibid.). He added that there have been instances of "gang rapes" of MCDDI journalists and activists affiliated with the MCDDI and the Patriotic Union for National Renewal (Union patriotique pour le renouveau national, UPRN) [another opposition party (RFI 11 Sept. 2013)] (Postdoctoral researcher 24 Nov. 2015). He further stated that it is not only MCDDI members who are treated this way, as members of other opposition parties are treated similarly (ibid.).

The Postdoctoral researcher stated that MCDDI members, from card-carrying members to activists and even leaders, have been targeted by the Sassou Nguesso government (ibid.). He added, however, that in many cases, lower-level MCDDI members "confront more serious dangers" than senior party leaders, who often have extensive professional and social contacts in the government, which can help to "insulate" them from the worst human rights violations, such as "brutal assault and torture and potentially assassination" (ibid.). He further stated that senior MCDDI leaders also benefit from greater visibility and "international attention," whereas the treatment of lowerlevel members is rarely reported on by the media (ibid.).

According to the Postdoctoral researcher, because "the regime has longstanding relationships" with opposition party leaders, it often treats party leaders differently than common members, who can face "harassment and assault, in addition to other abuses," even if the party leader is appointed to a ministerial position in the government (ibid.). The government would not assume that the members of these parties have suddenly become "regime supporters"; they are still considered opponents (ibid.).

The Postdoctoral researcher provided the following example of an MCDDI member in Pointe-Noire who was targeted by the authorities:

[A]n MCDDI member there … would distribute online party writings or criticisms of the government. …He would make copies of documents attesting to the government's corrupt practices … and distribute these materials. Because of these activities, this person was incarcerated without due process by the police, tortured, and narrowly escaped the country. (ibid.)

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Some sources indicate that Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas was placed under house arrest [in October 2015 (La Lettre du continent 11 Nov. 2015)] and that his house was surrounded by soldiers (Le Monde 10 Nov. 2015; RFI 27 Oct. 2015; Opinion internationale 22 Oct. 2015). According to Voice of America (VOA), the Secretary General and about 30 of his supporters are under house arrest (VOA 27 Oct. 2015). RFI reports that Abdoulaye Bathily, United Nations Special Representative for Central Africa, intervened to have the house arrest lifted (RFI 27 Oct. 2015). According to an article published in the magazine La Lettre du continent, [translation] "the leading publication about Africa aimed at both professionals and the general public" (Africa Intelligence n.d.), Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas' house arrest started in late October and ended "about 10 days later" (La Lettre du continent 11 Nov. 2015).

8. Treatment of Lari

According to the Postdoctoral researcher, the government considers members of the Lari ethnic group to be opponents since this group generally supports the MCDDI (Postdoctoral researcher 24 Nov. 2015). He added that the Lari face "blatant" and "widespread" economic and political discrimination (ibid.). The researcher also said that the Lari face a risk of "rape, extortion, harassment and incarceration" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] The Bertelsmann Foundation is a private German foundation whose objective is "to promote research and understanding in the areas of religion, public health, … international cultural exchange , democracy and government, and civic engagement" (Bertelsmann Stiftung n.d.).

References

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Agence de presse africaine (APA). 11 August 2015a. "Léger réaménagement ministériel au Congo-Brazzaville." (Factiva)

_____. 30 July 2015. "Les Congolais appelés à défendre l'ordre constitutionnel en cas de violation." (Factiva)

Agence d'information d'Afrique centrale (ADIAC). 10 August 2015. Roger Ngombé. "Vie des partis : la question du changement de la constitution divise le MCDDI." [Accessed 13 Nov. 2015]

_____. 21 July 2014. "MCDDI : les organes de base et intermédiaires approuvent l'action du Secrétaire général." [Accessed 19 Nov. 2015]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 16 September 2009. "Congo : remaniement ministériel après la présidentielle." [Accessed 10 Nov. 2015]

Bertelsmann Stiftung. 2014. BTI 2014: Republic of Congo Country Report. [Accessed 16 Nov. 2015]

_____. N.d. "The Beliefs Behind Our Work." [Accessed 18 Nov. 2015]

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_____. 5 April 2015. "Congo : la majorité au pouvoir divisée." [Accessed 12 Nov. 2015]

Postdoctoral researcher, Stanford University. 24 November 2015. Telephone interview.

Congopage.com. 8 April 2015. Benjamin Bilombot Bitadys. "Le MCDDI sonne la révolte contre le changement de Constitution." [Accessed 13 Nov. 2015]

_____. N.d. "À propos." [Accessed 24 Nov. 2015]

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_____. 8 August 2012. "Résultats définitifs des élections législatives de juillet 2012 au Congo." [Accessed 12 Nov. 2015]

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_____. 21 October 2015. "Quatre morts dans des heurts à Brazzaville entre policiers et manifestants." [Accessed 30 Aug. 2015]

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IHS Global Insight. 12 August 2015. Robert Besseling. "Congolese Political Dissent over President's Power Extension Plans Indicates Increasing Risk of Protests and Riots in Cities." (Factiva)

iTélé. 27 October 2015. "Référendum au Congo : L'opposition rejette les résultats et appelle à la désobéissance." [Accessed 30 Oct. 2015]

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_____. 11 August 2015. "Remaniement au Congo-Brazzaville : deux ministres opposés à la modification constitutionnelle exclus." [Accessed 30 Oct. 2015]

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Mayima-Mbemba, Jean-Claude. 30 November 2012. "Le MCDDI : hier, aujourd'hui et demain." [Accessed 9 Nov. 2015]

Le Monde. 10 November 2015. Joan Tilouine. "Le pasteur Ntumi, gourou libérateur ou marionnette de Sassou-Nguesso?" [Accessed 19 Nov. 2015]

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_____. 30 May 2008a. Statuts. [Accessed 19 Nov. 2015]

_____. 30 May 2008b. Règlement intérieur. [Accessed 26 Oct. 2015]

_____. N.d.a. "Bernard Kolélas - Biographie." [Accessed 26 Oct. 2015]

_____. N.d.b. "Mouvement congolais pour la démocratie et le développement intégral." [Accessed 26 Oct. 2015]

_____. N.d.c. "Notre équipe : secrétariat général adjoint - conseiller politique." [Accessed 19 Nov. 2015]

_____. N.d.d. "Notre équipe : secrétariat général adjoint - permanent." [Accessed 19 Nov. 2015]

_____. N.d.e. "Secrétariat général." [Accessed 28 Oct. 2015]

_____. N.d.f. "Biographie de Kolélas Guy Brice Parfait." [Accessed 27 Oct. 2015]

Œil d'Afrique. 13 August 2015. "Congo : bras de fer entre les Kolélas pour diriger le MCDDI face à Sassou N'guesso." [Accessed 13 Nov. 2015]

_____. 6 August 2015. "Parfait Kolélas, ministre congolais avertit Sassou : 'Même le Christ n'a pas fini son oeuvre'." [Accessed 13 Nov. 2015]

Opinion internationale. 22 October 2015. Stéphanie Petit. "L'opposant Parfait Kolélas décrit la situation à Brazzaville." [Accessed 19 Nov. 2015]

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Radio France internationale (RFI). 27 October 2015. "Congo : Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas encerclé chez lui par des militaires." [Accessed 19 Nov. 2015]

_____. 11 August 2015. "Congo-Brazzaville : Le président remanie son gouvernement." [Accessed 12 Nov. 2015]

_____. 5 August 2015. Christophe Boisbouvier. "Congo-B: Parfait Kolélas 'opposé à un référendum anticonstitutionnel'." [Accessed 10 Nov. 2015]

_____. 11 September 2013. Christophe Boisbouvier. "Mathias Dzon, opposant congolais, président de l'Union patriotique pour le renouveau national (UPRN)." [Accessed 24 Nov. 2015]

Republic of the Congo. 10 August 2015. Cabinet du Chef de l'État. "Remaniement de l'équipe gouvernementale de Denis Sassou Nguesso : Gouvernement de la République du Congo au terme du décret No 2015-858 du 10 août 2015." [Accessed 12 Nov. 2015]

La Semaine africaine. 29 July 2015. Cyr Armel Yabbat-Ngo. "Dialogue alternatif des forces opposées au changement de la Constitution : 'Gouvernance électorale et respect de l'ordre constitutionnel'." [Accessed 13 Nov. 2015]

Slate Afrique. 21 October 2015. "Au Congo, la 'pire journée' depuis la guerre civile de 1997." [Accessed 30 Oct. 2015]

Slate Afrique with Agence France-Presse (AFP). 29 October 2015. "Après le référendum, l'opposition congolaise appelle à une marche patriotique." [Accessed 30 Oct. 2015]

StarAfrica. 11 August 2015. "Congo : Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas et Claudine Munari limogés." [Accessed 10 Nov. 2015]

Voice of America (VOA). 27 October 2015. Nick Long. "Opposition in Congo Brazzaville Rejects Referendum Result." [Accessed 18 Nov. 2015]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: African bureau official, Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Associate Researcher, Chatham House; Journalist, Journal de Brazza; Journalists, Agence d'information d'Afrique centrale; Journalist and Researcher, Electronic Immigration Network; Member, Institut des mondes africains; Observatoire congolais des droits de l'homme; Postdoctoral candidate, Université de Genève; Professor, Centre d'études et de recherches sur les droits africains et le développement institutionnel des pays en développement; Professor, Université Marien Ngouabi; Professor, Université Omar Bongo; Professor of SubSaharan African politics, Florida International University; Professor, Institut d'études politique de Bordeaux; Researcher, École normale supérieure in Brazzaville; Researcher focusing on Africa, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines; Researcher focusing on the Republic of the Congo, Human Rights Watch.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Cour nationale du droit d'asile; ecoi.net; Factiva; Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; Libération.fr; United Nations - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld; United States - Department of State.

Attachments

1. Mouvement congolais pour la démocratie et le développement intégral (MCDDI). 30 May 2008. Statuts. [Accessed 26 Oct. 2015]

2. Mouvement congolais pour la démocratie et le développement intégral (MCDDI). N.d. "Secrétariat général." [Accessed 28 Oct. 2015]

3. Mouvement congolais pour la démocratie et le développement intégral (MCDDI). 30 May 2008b. Règlement intérieur. [Accessed 26 Oct. 2015]

4. Mouvement congolais pour la démocratie et le développement intégral (MCDDI). N.d. "Les élus." [Accessed 28 Oct. 2015]