Title: The invitation of Joseph Kabila by the CENI: a proposal rejected by the PPRD
Introduction :
The invitation of former head of state Joseph Kabila by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to discuss the ongoing electoral process has been described as “distracting” and “untimely” by the People’s Party for Reconstruction and democracy (PPRD). PPRD deputy permanent secretary Ferdinand Kambere said his political family, the Common Front for Congo (FCC), maintains its position in favor of a recomposition and reconfiguration of the CENI as well as the Constitutional Court. . What are the reasons for this rejection and what are the FCC’s demands regarding the electoral process in the DRC?
Clear demands from the FCC:
Ferdinand Kambere stresses that the FCC demands a consensual CENI, a legally composed constitutional court and a credible, democratic, transparent and inclusive electoral process. In addition, the FCC requests that security cover the entire national territory and that enrollment and identification operations be carried out on a reliable file. According to Kambere, these demands are clear and await clear responses from the authorities.
An invitation deemed incomprehensible:
The deputy permanent secretary of the PPRD said he was amazed at the invitation of Joseph Kabila by the CENI. He wonders what Denis Kadima, the president of the CENI, really wants to discuss with the former head of state, given that the issues raised by the FCC are already known. According to Kambere, the invitation appears to be a distraction and shows the institutions’ inability to resolve the issues raised.
Meetings with the opposition without significant progress:
The CENI began a series of meetings with opposition leaders to discuss the constraints encountered in the electoral process. However, these exchanges did not bring new progress since the opposition maintains its request for an external audit of the electoral register and a recomposition of the CENI office.
Conclusion :
Joseph Kabila’s invitation by the CENI to discuss the ongoing electoral process was rejected by the PPRD. The FCC maintains its position in favor of a recomposition of the CENI and a transparent and inclusive electoral process. It remains to be seen if this invitation will be maintained despite the rejection of the political party of the former president. The electoral process in the DRC continues to be the subject of debate and controversy, highlighting the challenges the country faces in its quest for a stable and transparent democracy.