The research institute Ebuteli proudly unveiled Landila on July 9th in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This groundbreaking platform stands as the nation’s first citizen barometer, specifically engineered to oversee governmental activities. Its core mission is to enable the public to closely monitor the executive’s pledges, gauge their progress, and evaluate the tangible outcomes of public policies.

With its user-friendly and interactive design, Landila aims to simplify access to public information for all citizens. This initiative is set to significantly enhance transparency and foster increased accountability in the administration of state affairs.

Through this innovative platform, Ebuteli seeks to cultivate a more informed citizen oversight of government operations. To delve deeper into the objectives and functionality of this new tool, we spoke with Ithiel Batumike, a researcher within Ebuteli’s political division.

What can you tell us about this new tool you are launching?

Ithiel Batumike: Landila, a name derived from Kikongo meaning ‘to follow,’ will empower citizens to assess the commitments made 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. Our initial monitoring will cover the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender, and the Ministry of Mines. We will track these specific ministries to observe their prioritized commitments and evaluate their ongoing implementation.

So, is this essentially an accountability tool, allowing citizens to access information on the platform and hold elected officials responsible?

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

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 primarily designed for them?

Ithiel Batumike: In the past, we have successfully conducted awareness campaigns, even reaching out to local markets. We intend to replicate this approach, engaging with Congolese citizens from all walks of life to widely disseminate information about the tool. We will deploy diverse communication strategies tailored to various demographic segments, ensuring that the functionalities and crucial content of this essential political accountability tool are accessible to everyone.