In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the esteemed research institute Ebuteli proudly launched Landila on July 9th. This groundbreaking initiative marks the introduction of the first Congolese barometer dedicated to meticulously tracking governmental actions. The citizen-centric tool has been specifically engineered to empower the public to monitor the commitments made by the executive branch, accurately gauge their level of fulfillment, and critically evaluate the outcomes of public policies.

Designed for ease of access and interactivity, Landila aims to democratize access to public information for all citizens. In doing so, it seeks to foster a greater degree of transparency and accountability in the administration of state affairs.

Through this innovative platform, Ebuteli is committed to facilitating more informed citizen oversight of governmental activities. To gain deeper insights into the objectives and operational mechanics of this significant new tool, we spoke with Ithiel Batumike, a distinguished researcher within Ebuteli’s political division.

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

Ithiel Batumike: Landila, a name derived from the Kikongo word meaning ‘to follow,’ will enable citizens to rigorously assess the commitments undertaken by the government since its inauguration in June 2024. It will provide a clear picture of the achievements to date. To commence, we are focusing on six pilot ministries from the existing forty-plus. We will begin by monitoring the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender, and the Ministry of Mines. Our objective is to track the priority commitments these ministries have made and observe how effectively they are being implemented.

Question: So, this is essentially an accountability tool? Meaning citizens can visit the site, access information, and then hold their elected officials accountable?

Ithiel Batumike: Precisely, that is the core objective. We are striving to make information readily available to the public, empowering citizens to make informed decisions. Our aim is that this data concerning government commitments and their implementation will, in the future, allow citizens to choose their representatives with the utmost clarity and understanding. It serves as a vital political accountability mechanism, building upon our existing Talatala tool, which monitors parliamentary activity.

Question: For the average Congolese citizen, who may not be familiar with Ebuteli or your work, how do you plan to promote Landila and ensure a broad public adoption of this tool, which is fundamentally designed for them?

Ithiel Batumike: In the past, we have successfully organized extensive awareness campaigns, even reaching out to public markets. We intend to replicate and expand these efforts, reaching all Congolese citizens across various demographics to popularize the tool. We will deploy diverse communication strategies tailored to different segments of the population, ensuring widespread access to the functionalities and content of this crucial tool for political accountability.