John Tibasima Bahemuka: the detainee who is running for the presidency in the DRC
In a bold and surprising move, John Tibasima Bahemuka, an unsuccessful former deputy candidate, announced his candidacy for the national deputy and for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo. What makes this candidacy even more atypical is that Bahemuka is currently detained in the central prison of Bunia, accused of wanting to unify the local armed groups of Ituri into a single militia.
Despite his situation, Bahemuka does not hide his ambition and his determination to serve his country. He says he has a team on the ground and believes in his chances of running an effective election campaign. He believes that the real problem in the DRC lies with bad governance, not with previous governments or current President Felix Tshisekedi.
While the electoral law stipulates that people convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide are permanently ineligible, Bahemuka remains awaiting his judgment after several months of preventive detention. His family expresses their concern at the slowness of the processing of his file and hopes for a quick decision.
However, Bahemuka’s journey is quite special. As well as being a presidential candidate, he holds residency cards from Canada and other neighboring countries, raising questions about his nationality and loyalty to the DRC.
Despite the controversies and doubts surrounding his candidacy, John Tibasima Bahemuka embodies a desire for change and an aspiration for better governance in the DRC. His situation as a detainee and his political engagement raise questions about civil rights and the limits of political participation for those in detention.
Bahemuka’s political future remains uncertain, but his candidacy shows a desire to take an active part in the destiny of his country, even from the walls of his cell