The choice of the political party that will support the candidacy of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi for the general elections of December 2023 remains uncertain. As the months pass, no political grouping has yet been confirmed. However, the Conseil National de Concertation (CNC), led by Pius Muabilu, recently suggested that the president stand on the list of the UDPS, the party founded by the late Etienne Tshisekedi.
This CNC proposal is motivated by the desire to “pay homage to the memory of the late Patriarch Doctor Etienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba, who devoted his whole life to the fight against anti-values”, as Meschack Mandefu, Secretary General of the party and interim president. He recalls the noble fight led by Etienne Tshisekedi, which earned him several stays in prison and house arrest, while emphasizing the commitment of UDPS activists who defied dictatorships to establish the rule of law.
The CNC nominated Félix Antoine Tshisekedi as a candidate for the next presidential election in May 2021, and since then it has been mobilizing its troops for his re-election. The party invites all those who share the love of the fatherland to join them in consolidating the achievements of the change underway in the country. The CNC also welcomes the rapid adherence of the Congolese political class to their call and congratulates the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) for the good work accomplished so far.
The CNC encourages all parties involved to play their part in ensuring a peaceful electoral process, the results of which will be a source of joy for the country.
In addition, the CNC takes the opportunity to welcome the start of the Bukanga Lonzo trial, considering that this is an opportunity for the Congolese to know the truth about this economic crime.
The party also wishes to express its dissatisfaction with the former president of the CENI, Corneille Naanga, for his remarks deemed irresponsible on the alleged presence of FDLR elements in the ranks of the FARDC. The CNC calls for severe sanctions, considering these acts as high treason, attributing to Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, influence over Naanga.
As the elections approach, the candidacy of Felix Tshisekedi remains pending. The choice of the political party that will support him is of crucial importance for his political future. The coming months will be decisive for the political alliance that will take shape in view of these general elections, which are crucial for the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo