Political opposition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: every man for himself and suicide for all
The political scene in the Democratic Republic of Congo is marked by a series of dissensions within the opposition. The quartet formed by Fayulu, Katumbi, Matata and Sesanga was shattered and Martin Fayulu decided to go his own way, concentrating on the application of article 64 of the Constitution. This situation demonstrates once again that the motto “One for all and all for one” is difficult to apply in the Congolese political landscape.
Disagreements and disputes within the opposition are not new in the DRC. We remember the short-lived alliance between Martin Fayulu and other opposition leaders during the 2018 presidential election. Unfortunately, this union did not hold and everyone went their separate ways. A similar scenario repeated itself with the FCC-CACH deal, which saw a political alliance between the sons of Kabila and Tshisekedi turn into a rocky split.
This tendency towards the break-up of the opposition shows the difficulties of building true unity and solidarity between the various political actors in the DRC. Each has its own interests and ambitions, which makes it difficult to form a united and coherent political force. However, in an electoral context where unity often brings results, this fragmentation of the opposition can have disastrous consequences for all.
It is clear that Martin Fayulu, in his quest to denounce the illegitimacy of the elections and claim his rights, has chosen a coherent position. He refuses to participate in an electoral process that he considers flawed and unfair. However, by separating from the other opposition leaders, he finds himself alone in his struggle and risks losing influence and political weight.
Faced with a fragmented and divided opposition, the whole country suffers. A single-round presidential election, which often favors the best-organized and best-funded candidates, can create further inequality and tension. It is therefore essential for the opposition to work towards the construction of a solid unity and a common political strategy, in order to put all the chances on its side to defend the rights and interests of the Congolese people.
In conclusion, the political opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo faces many challenges, including that of fragmentation and division. To hope to have a real impact on the political scene and defend the rights of the Congolese people, it is essential for the opposition to find ways to overcome these differences and work together to achieve their common goals