2023-11-28 12:56:13
The Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing for crucial general elections on December 20. Nearly 44 million voters are called to vote to elect their president. Single ballot, fragmented opposition or even violence in the east: the stakes of these elections are numerous. Vincent Hugeux, independent journalist, essayist and teacher, dissects this election for France 24.
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Meetings, interviews, rallies… The campaign for the presidential election on December 20 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is in full swing, where 23 candidates, including outgoing President Félix Tshisekedi, are in the running. Initially, 26 candidates were registered for this presidential election which will be coupled with legislative, provincial and municipal elections.
What are the main issues in this election? Vincent Hugeux, independent journalist, essayist, teacher and author of “Tyrans of Africa. The mysteries of postcolonial despotism”, (Perrin, 2021) gives us some answers.
Since 2011, the voting method in the DRC has been a one-round ballot: the president is elected by a simple majority of votes cast. Vincent Hugeux questions this voting method which he defines as “electoral misuse”. According to him, the one-round vote favors incumbents like Félix Tshisekedi, who faces a fragmented opposition.
“It would be enough for Félix Tshisekedi to collect 20% of the votes to be elected, provided that his closest challenger only obtains 18%,” specifies the journalist. “In my opinion, this is a denial of democracy. You can be in the perfect minority and win!”
Read alsoCandidates, logistics, calendar… what you need to know about the general elections in DR Congo
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A fragmented opposition
Faced with the outgoing president, the opposition is trying to come together to be stronger. In recent days, Moïse Katumbi, former governor of Katanga, notably obtained the support of three opponents of Félix Tshisekedi. Despite these withdrawals, there are still 23 candidates in the running.
“Even if the number of candidates decreases as the election approaches, it is unlikely that the opposition will manage to unite around one or two candidates,” estimates Vincent Hugeux.
According to the journalist, the opponent Martin Fayulu, who came in second position in the previous election, will persevere. “Martin Fayulu considers himself the real winner of the 2018 presidential election. It is clear that he will not give up.”
Moïse Katumbi and Dr. Denis Mukwege are two other strong opponents. The first has significant resources to carry out its campaign. The second, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2018, is a respected figure in the country. “I don’t see how any of these candidates could withdraw,” reasons Vincent Hugeux.
“The fragility of any adversity in this area lies in this diversity of applications,” he concludes.
Read alsoPresidential election in DR Congo: what are the chances of Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege?
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Violence in the east of the country
Security in eastern DRC remains a major issue in these elections. After six months of relative calm, violent fighting resumed in early October between the M23 rebels and the army allied with so-called “patriot” armed groups. Consequently, President Félix Tshisekedi announced in mid-November on France 24 and RFI that these elections could not take place in the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru (North Kivu) – where the M23, supported by neighboring Rwanda, operates.
Since the resumption of fighting, more than 450,000 people have been added to the displaced people who already populated the surroundings of Goma, according to the United Nations. Faced with this situation, the candidates are making a series of announcements. The opponent Moïse Katumbi, for example, promised to “create a special fund for North Kivu and Ituri of 5 billion US dollars”, if he is elected.
Announcements that do not surprise Vincent Hugeux: “No candidate worthy of trust or interest can ignore the fate of several million of his compatriots, even if they are excluded from the electoral lists.”
“Now we have to take action!”, continues the journalist. “For decades, candidates have been making similar promises. For the moment, we must admit that disappointment still prevails in view of the political performances of successive presidents.”
Indeed, violence by armed groups has lasted for almost 30 years in eastern DRC. The government of Félix Tshisekedi recently decided not to renew beyond December 8 the mandate of a regional force deployed in the east to fight against the M23, accusing it of not forcing the rebels to lay down their arms.
Read alsoWho are the main armed groups active in eastern DR Congo?
Rich in natural resources, the DRC is also a vast country and difficult to control, Vincent Hugueux would like to point out. “This led to a war at the turn of the century [la deuxième guerre du Congo, 1998-2003, NDLR], in which nine neighboring countries were involved. In this context, it is extremely difficult to eradicate a movement, even with the help of mercenaries”, he maintains, referring to “several hundred mercenaries recruited and two private military companies to support the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo”.
At the same time, the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), present in the country since 1999, declared on Wednesday that it had signed with the government a plan to withdraw its 14,000 peacekeepers deployed in the country, mainly in the east. “We are also moving towards a rather paradoxical disengagement of this UN force, given the electric nature of the situation. It will be very difficult to predict lasting and irreversible appeasement in this region,” concludes the journalist.
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