Election security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is becoming a major concern for the government and stakeholders. As the December 2023 elections approach, the security crisis in the east of the country poses serious challenges for the holding of the electoral process.
Armed groups and negative forces, such as the Rwandan-backed M23, continue to cause trouble in the eastern region of the country. The Mobondo phenomenon in the west and the kidnappings in Kinshasa also add to the instability which could hamper the smooth running of the elections.
Faced with these security challenges, the Forum of Stakeholders in the Electoral Process called on the Congolese government to allocate the necessary resources to ensure the security of the elections. Political parties, civil society, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the Constitutional Court met in Kinshasa to discuss these issues and find solutions.
In addition to the issue of security, the Forum also highlighted the risk of disinformation and hate speech in the context of elections. The fight against disinformation has become a major challenge, which adds to security concerns and can compromise the ongoing electoral process.
The Electoral Process Stakeholders Forum was held over two days, bringing together key actors from the political scene and civil society. During the closing of this event, the President of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Denis Kadima, drew up an inventory of the current electoral process in the country.
It is essential that the Congolese government take concrete measures to guarantee the security of the upcoming elections. The stability of the country and the credibility of the electoral process depend on it. Countering disinformation and hate speech must also be a priority, in order to preserve the integrity of the electoral process and foster an environment conducive to free and fair elections.
It remains to be hoped that all stakeholders will work together to ensure secure, transparent and inclusive elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The success of these elections is crucial for the democratic future of the country and to strengthen the confidence of citizens in the electoral process