Article 15 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Article 15 or article quinze (\aʁ.ti.klə.kɛ̃z\ in French pronunciation) is a humorous French idiom common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which serves to justify actions taken on an individual's initiative. Originating during the Congo Crisis and popularised under the Zairean regime, it references a fictional provision of the 14-article constitution of the secessionist state of South Kasai which was said to read Débrouillez-vous (literally, "get on with it", "figure it out yourself"[2], "deal with it", "muddle through", or "improvise"). The phrase is applied to mean that the state will not help people and is sometimes used to justify unlawful conduct, such as corruption by public officials.[3] In a 1976 speech, Mobutu Sese Seko encouraged the civil servants to "steal a little cleverly".[3] After the fall of Mobutu, the article is invoked to explain corruption and petty theft in the country.[4]

"Whether you're young or old, we all face the same reality: the difficult life
The daily nightmare.
What to do? If nothing else, refer to Article 15:
'Do what you must to live'
In Kinshasa."

"Article 15 Beta Libanga", 1985 song, by Pépé Kallé.[1]

Article 15 plays a prominent role in Congolese popular culture, such as the Congolese rumba song "Article 15, oyebi yango" (1963) or "Article 15 Beta Libanga" (1985).

See also
  • System D, an equivalent concept in English from European French.

References
  1. Stewart, Gary (2000). Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos. London: Verso. p. 285. ISBN 1859843689.
  2. Yong, Ed (July 2018). "The Next Plague Is Coming. Is America Ready?". The Atlantic. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  3. Titeca, Kristof; Nkuku, Albert Malukisa (March 12, 2018). "Kinshasa's informal economy is trapped by a corrupt "tax" system for powerful public officials". Quartz Africa. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  4. Rorison, Sean (2012). Congo: Democratic Republic - Republic. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-84162-391-7. Retrieved 3 April 2020.

Further reading
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