[EXCLUSIVE] – The issuance of service and diplomatic passports has been suspended for some weeks. According to concordant sources, the shortage of application cards for this category passports would be justified by a sort of pressure from the company Semlex, the exclusive provider, to the Congolese State for the payment of its arrears of invoices. Hence, the blockage that disrupts the movements of some public officials.

Indeed, these are the counterpart of the production, free of charge, of these travel documents for the benefit of officials and agents of the State.

Six months ago, the overall rating was around two million US dollars. As a result of strong pressure, during the installation of the Presidency and the National Assembly, no one knows if a party has this debt was paid.

If Semlex returns to the charge, to date, it clearly means that the Congolese government still owes him money. And especially that the exclusive contract which binds it to the DRC tends towards its deadline fixed at June 11, 2020.

#RDC Passeport Biométrique, le contrat SEMLEX-Gouvernement court jusqu’en Juin 2020 ! | @DiplomatieRdc via @Zoom_eco https://t.co/qlI31SHgFx pic.twitter.com/0CXcc1jvKQ

— Zoom Eco (@Zoom_eco) October 13, 2017

In view of the glaring and blatant imbalances of the said contract to the detriment of the Congolese State, many people do not wish it to be renewed. In this case, the passport issuing service could thus return to the Ministry of the Interior in accordance with Article 3 of the Decree Law No. 002/2003 of 11 January 2003 establishing and organizing the General Directorate of migration (DGM).

Another tendency of opinion is favorable to a renewal of the contract conditioned by the reading of the clauses with a view to the rebalancing of the interests. Because, she argues, it is abnormal that the Congolese passport is one of the most expensive in the world while the Congolese State only pockets 65 US dollars out of the 185 paid by any applicant.

Clearly, the difference is the Consortium SEMLEX (USD 48), LRPS (USD 60) and Mantenga Contacto Trading Limited (USD 12).

From this contract, analysts have decried his signature in violation of any legal procedure in the matter. Then, the mute that would be put on the payment of taxes and duties due to the State. To add the small portion reserved for the DRC, the loss would be heavy.

However, the only gain enjoyed by the Congolese is the possession of his biometric passport which facilitates freedom of movement around the world.

Emilie MBOYO