With December 23rd set for the upcoming general elections for the highest seat of power in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world wonders if maybe, just maybe, this will be the one that actually happens.
Since November 2016, the government of the DRC has postponed its general elections at the request of the incumbent president, Joseph Kabila, amidst protests from the people and complaints from the international community.
President Joseph Kabila,took the mantle of leadership in 2001 after the assassination of his father, Laurent Désiré-Kabila, and he has held on to the presidency since then. In 2006, during the second democratic elections in the country (post-independence from Belgium) Kabila emerged victorious, holding on to the presidential seat and clinching it again in 2011 after the constitutionally stipulated five-year term.
The election in 2011, however, was condemned for irregularities and voter manipulation and this has contributed to the deteriorating image of the leader. Coupled with allegations of embezzlement and fraud, the Kabila administration has had a tumultuous time since.
Things took a turn for the worse at the end of his term in December, 2016 when Kabila refused to leave office. Postponing the elections in November while simultaneously agreeing to the religiously-influenced Saint Sylvester Agreement in the same year, Kabila agreed to an election in 2017 and leaving the office of the president if he lost. Using the rouse of the country’s inability to register all its eligible voters and various instances of unrest, Kabila weaselled and manoeuvred his way into staying in power for two extra years after his end of term. He even went as far as getting a court ruling to remain in power until a new president is sworn in.
Unfortunately for him, Kabila’s doggedness was not supported by the West and, with pressure being mounted on him to walk away proving futile, the international community started to get weary of his inability to agree to terms, leading some international investors to look elsewhere, costing the country heavily.
Now, with up to 50 million registered voters, preparations are well underway for possible general elections by the Congolese Electoral Commission (CENI). Still, the people and international observers are weary of the incumbent’s intentions to let these elections occur, leading the international community to call for a peaceful transition of power, repeatedly, against the backdrop of previous events.
Set for the 23rd of December 2018, the DRC elections will have its results announced on the 9th of January, with a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for the 13th of January.
Presidential aspirants set to dive into the tense political environment in the DRC include Félix Tshisekedi who heads the largest opposition party and, just like Kabila, took over from his father, Etienne. Moïse Katumbi is another aspirant who has had run-ins with the law, but has been described as possibly the second most influential man in the country, after Kabila. Katumbi seems to be a favourite at the moment, especially with his experience as the former Governor of Katanga.
After years of loyalty to Kabila’s government and serving as the campaign officer for his very first election, Vital Kamerhe is ready to move to centre stage with his eye on the presidential position. The Congolese politician served as the Minister of Information as well as the President of the DRC’s National Assembly between 2006 and 2009, proving he has some experience with public office and is a strong contender for the country’s top job.
Coming in as the final interesting contender for the elections, Jean-Pierre Bemba was acquitted of war crimes at the International Criminal Court earlier this year but he may be banned from contesting as DRC laws prohibit individuals found guilty of corruption from contesting. After a rape and murder incident in 2002, 2003 saw the alleged warlord move to Central African Republic and now his unexpected return to the political scene as the ticket holder for the Movement for the Liberation of Congo party has resulted in raised brows.
With less than 100 days to the elections, one can only hope for a proper election process and transparency in the transition of power in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Initial report prepared by Conrad Omodiagbe
