The Catholic Lay Apostolate Council of Congo (CALCC) recently issued a press release denouncing the violence that punctuated the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to this civil society organization, the political and social climate is more than deleterious within 5 months of the electoral deadlines.
In this article, we will come back to the statements and concerns of the CALCC, and analyze the impact of this violence on the electoral process in the DRC.
According to the president of the CALCC, Bosco Lalo, the electoral process is very badly started in the DRC. He denounces violence in all its forms, which would be on a scale never seen during previous electoral periods. He also criticizes the denial of respect for human rights and freedom of expression, going so far as to mention the denigration of churchmen who wish to speak out about the suffering of the population.
Among the recent events that have aroused the concern of the CALCC, we can mention the media ping-pong after the denunciation of the social and political lethargy during the 60th plenary assembly of the CENCO (National Episcopal Conference of Congo). The Head of State reportedly responded to these criticisms during a speech in Mbuji-Mayi.
Faced with this situation, the CALCC calls for the prioritization of justice, law, truth and the happiness of the people by the rulers of the DRC. According to Bosco Lalo, securing the population should be a claimed right and a republican value to be demanded by all legal means.
It is undeniable that the violence during the electoral process in the DRC raises serious concerns about the stability and credibility of the upcoming elections. These tensions could compromise the smooth running of the electoral process and call into question the legitimacy of the results.
It is therefore imperative that the Congolese authorities take adequate measures to guarantee the safety of the population and ensure a calm political climate. It is also essential to promote respect for human rights and freedom of expression to enable all political actors to participate in the electoral process in a fair and transparent manner.
In conclusion, the violence during the electoral process in the DRC is worrying and must be denounced. It is crucial that the authorities put in place the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the population and guarantee free and fair elections. The involvement of the CALCC and civil society in this fight is essential to make the voice of the Congolese people heard and guarantee a democratic future for the country.