National deputy Delly Sesanga, one of the opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo refused to participate in the plenary which was taking place on Monday, May 29, 2023 to examine the draft law on the distribution of seats. The latter is considered by the opposition to be based on false figures intended to lead Congolese to fraudulent and chaotic elections. The law in question has not been verified by an audit and is therefore contested.
The deputy who denounced the lies of the CENI (Independent National Electoral Commission) which drafted the text, believes that the latest figures from the electoral census were not reliable, because they would have been made to accredit a process deemed fraudulent by a large part of the opposition. The latter doubts the reliability of the elections which would be organized soon.
Delly Sesanga also raised the question of the participation of the Territories of Rutshuru, Masisi and Nyiragongo, which were not counted during the last electoral census, as they are currently under the control of the M23 authority. The MP also hinted that the power in place could be secretly working for the balkanization of the DRC.
Opposition leaders, including Delly Sesanga, have planned a demonstration in Place Sainte Thérèse in the commune of N’djili, Kinshasa, to express their dissatisfaction and opposition to the government’s choices. All the leaders will be present, to “affirm to have an electoral process which is transparent, inclusive and that we will reject all that will be done and which will not be transparent, free or democratic”. Indeed, the latter affirmed that they will continue their demonstrations to put pressure on the regime of Felix Tshisekedi.
In the latest news, the challenge of the education unions, which recently went on strike to obtain a salary increase, worries the Congolese government. Prime Minister Sama Lukonde wanted to resolve the humanitarian and security crisis in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.
Although the DRC is modernizing its public finance legislation to improve management and attract investors, other concerns remain unresolved. Relations between the DRC and China have become close, with an alliance between the two countries to strengthen their mutual support in international affairs.
Finally, the jewel of Congolese cinema “La vie est belle” was screened during the European film festival in Kinshasa. The Tata Raphaël stadium is also ready to host the 9th Games of La Francophonie.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently in a fragile political situation, between opposition demonstrations, union strikes and government projects to modernize the country.. Upcoming events could be crucial for the future of the DRC