The DRC is preparing to hold general elections in December 2023, but the political climate is tense ahead of the ballot. In a first demonstration organized on May 20, a fringe of the opposition denounces a “chaotic” electoral process which would prepare a new electoral hold-up in favor of the current President Tshisekedi. This demonstration was repressed by the police, causing a wave of reactions both nationally and internationally.
In addition, the reaction of the Congolese authorities to this protest is very questionable, in particular the desire to restrict access to social networks. This measure is not new in the DRC, because under former President Joseph Kabila, the government had already resorted to shutting down the internet on more than one occasion. The government can indeed order Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to limit Internet access, from blocking commonly used social media platforms to shutting down the Internet altogether.
Claude Ibalanky, newly appointed roving ambassador of President Félix Tshisekedi, wondered about the possibility of restricting access to social networks in the name of national security. According to him, social networks have a real impact on the country’s politics, market and security. However, it is important to ensure that the regulation of the social media environment does not infringe on the fundamental freedoms of citizens.
In sum, the current political situation in the DRC is precarious, and the upcoming general elections promise to be uncertain. The government must ensure that the measures it takes do not infringe on the fundamental freedoms of citizens