Less than three months before the general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the government is calling on political parties to take measures to prevent the disturbances to public order which have recently erupted in certain provinces of the country. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, Security and Customary Affairs, Peter Kazadi, expressed his concerns during the cabinet meeting.
He stressed that certain members of political parties, particularly in the provinces of Haut Katanga, Sankuru, Kinshasa, Mai Ndombe and Lualaba, were responsible for disturbances to public order. In this crucial context of the electoral process, the Minister reminded the leaders of political parties of their responsibility to provide civic guidance to their members.
More specifically, tensions were observed between the UDPS/Tshisekedi and Gabriel Kyungu’s UNAFEC in Lubumbashi, the main city in the Haut Katanga province. In this context, the Deputy Prime Minister called on the leaders of both parties to prioritize peaceful coexistence. It is essential to prevent political violence in the run-up to crucial elections.
The government also emphasizes the importance for young members of political parties to refrain from any act of vandalism and to respect the laws and institutions of the country. This meeting of the Council of Ministers is also an opportunity to recall the common history between Étienne Tshisekedi and Antoine Gabriel Kyungu wa Kumwanza, two leading political figures in the DRC.
It is essential that political parties take their responsibilities and provide solid support for their members during this electoral period. This will help preserve public order and guarantee democratic and transparent elections in the DRC. The government will continue to work for a peaceful and secure political climate, in the interest of all Congolese citizens.