As of July 21, 2023, we are witnessing hot political news. The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, has been appointed as a facilitator by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in the political crisis in Chad. This appointment aims to bring together the various Chadian actors and to promote an inclusive, consensual and peaceful political transition. A complex mission that requires a good knowledge of the many challenges that the DRC has been facing for decades.
The analogy between the Chadian and Congolese situation is striking. Indeed, the terms “consensual”, “inclusive” and “appeased” are also at the heart of the challenges of the electoral process in the DRC. So far, this process has been criticized for its lack of inclusiveness and consensus among stakeholders. It is therefore important to find solutions to guarantee peaceful and democratic elections.
This is why it is interesting to note that talks are currently underway in the DRC with a view to finding a mediator or a facilitator who could bring all the political actors around the table. The objective would be to develop electoral rules of the game accepted by all, in order to create the conditions for an inclusive and consensual electoral process. The emphasis is on “elections-solutions” rather than “powder kegs”, which could aggravate political and social tensions.
Thus, it is legitimate to ask whether the DRC could benefit from a facilitator similar to the one designated for the political crisis in Chad. This question naturally arises, in the hope of finding a lasting solution to the political and social problems that persist in the country.
In conclusion, current political news highlights the many parallels between the political crisis in Chad and the challenges facing the DRC. The appointment of President Tshisekedi as a facilitator in the Chadian crisis raises questions about the possibility of finding a facilitator in the DRC to promote an inclusive and consensual electoral process. Hopefully these initiatives will help bring long-awaited political and social stability to these two countries