Electoral primaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): a promising alternative to fight against predatory governance
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a predatory governance system, characterized by special and partisan interests that fuel corruption and hinder the country’s development. Faced with this situation, actors from citizen movements and Congolese civil society decided to take matters into their own hands by creating the “Alternative for a New Congo” (ACN) platform.
This platform brings together civil society organizations, citizen movements, political organizations and independent personalities who aim to actively participate in electoral events at all levels. To achieve this, the ACN has implemented a participatory process, notably through the organization of primaries.
But what are primaries? This is an internal process that selects candidates for an organization or political platform for upcoming elections. It is therefore a democratic mechanism which gives a voice to members and allows them to choose the best representatives to defend the interests of the Congolese people.
The organization of primaries within the ACN represents a real political innovation in the DRC. By allowing citizens to actively participate in the candidate selection process, this strengthens the transparency and inclusiveness of the Congolese political system. This is a way to break with the traditional system where candidates are often chosen based on partisan or financial interests.
By involving civil society and citizens in the choice of candidates, the primaries offer an opportunity for renewal of the Congolese political class. This mechanism allows new political figures to emerge, more representative of the diversity and aspirations of the Congolese people.
However, the primaries are not an end in themselves. They must be followed by a real commitment from the selected candidates to respect the values of transparency, integrity and public service. It is also essential to put in place control and accountability mechanisms to ensure that elected candidates act in the general interest.
The ACN initiative and the organization of the primaries therefore represent an important step towards the fight against predatory governance in the DRC. She paves the way for a new generation of political leaders who bring hope and change for the country.
It is now crucial that Congolese citizens support this initiative by actively participating in the primaries and voting for honest candidates in the next elections.. It is by uniting our voices and demonstrating real civic commitment that we will be able to build a new Congo, based on the principles of justice, democracy and sustainable development.
In conclusion, the organization of electoral primaries in the DRC by the ACN represents a promising alternative to fight against predatory governance which is handicapping the country. It is a step towards a more transparent, inclusive and accountable political system. Now is the time to encourage and support this approach to build a better future for the Democratic Republic of Congo.