Six months before the general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), political tensions still persist. In a recent communication, the political clan of Joseph Kabila, the Common Front for Congo (FCC), reiterates its position to boycott the elections scheduled for December 2023 if a consensual independent national electoral commission (CENI) is not put in place. , including delegates duly appointed by their components.
The FCC also criticizes the Constitutional Court, which it describes as “not subservient”, as well as the electoral law which, according to them, does not guarantee transparency and equal opportunities for all competitors. Members of the opposition parliamentary group accuse President Tshisekedi of organizing the elections with a one-color CENI, while denouncing the unreliability of the electoral process.
The opposition, civil society and the majority in power do not speak the same language on the eve of the elections. While the CENI reassures on the respect of the constitutional deadline, the opposition fears chaotic elections for lack of consensus.
These political tensions are not new in the DRC, where democracy is fragile and political stability is undermined by deep divisions between different political actors. The 2023 general elections will therefore be a real challenge for the Congolese and the international community, who must work together to guarantee peaceful, transparent and democratic elections.