After two years of pushbacks and delays, campaigns have officially kicked off in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ahead of the December 23rd elections. This poll will find a replacement for the outgoing Joseph Kabila, whose tenure ended two years ago in 2016.
Kabila, who assumed office in 2001, has been the major road block in the elections taking place as his refusal to leave office until his mandate was complete halted election plans from 2016 till now.
Also, it has been noted that not only did Congolese authorities block several opposition leaders such as former Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba from contesting, the government also placed a ban on protests and marches from groups that failed to support President Kabila. Opposition parties and people demanding reforms and credibility from the government have been met with intimidation, threats and arrests according to Amnesty International.
Several cases of human rights violations have been recorded in the country, ranging from prolonged and unwarranted detentions to the killing of protesters, showing the high level of police brutality and impunity in the country.
These cases have led to calls from not just human rights activists, but also the United States as a statement released by the State Department spokeswoman, Heather Nauert, called on the DRC to tackle its humanitarian crisis and restore the confidence of the international community by conducting a credible transparent election.
The statement also adds: “As the election campaign begins on November 23, we encourage all actors to remain engaged in the process, conduct their activities in a peaceful manner, and commit to respecting human rights, fundamental freedom and democratic values. The world is watching as the Congolese people exercise their rights to vote and determine their country’s future.”
With over 40 million registered voters, 15,000 candidates contesting for 500 seats in the National Assembly, and more than 19,000 for the country’s provisional assembly seats, the world is watching the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), the outgoing President Joseph Kabila and the entire people of the DRC.
