The political landscape in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to shift in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled for December 2023. Martin Fayulu, a strong opponent, announced his candidacy during a press conference in Kinshasa this Saturday, September 30. This decision marks a turnaround for the opponent, who had initially boycotted the electoral process.
Martin Fayulu, member of the Lamuka coalition, had previously called for a boycott of the national and provincial legislative elections which took place last July. However, in response to popular pressure, he decided to submit his candidacy for the presidential election in December 2023. His main objective is to obtain greater transparency in the organization of elections, either before or during the vote.
This suspicion of fraud already hovered during the 2018 presidential election, where Martin Fayulu claims that the victory was stolen from him. To avoid the same problems this time, his party is demanding that election results be announced by each polling station.
Martin Fayulu’s decision to run for president was received differently within his coalition. Some Lamuka executives did not approve of this choice, but for the opponent Devos Kitoko, secretary general of the Ecidé party, this decision is consensual and was taken by the majority of members. The question of governance without deputies in the National Assembly also arises, but Martin Fayulu affirms that he will work with the deputies who are elected.
This candidacy of Martin Fayulu marks the return of an opposition heavyweight in the presidential race. In 2018, he was already a candidate for the Lamuka coalition, facing Félix Tshisekedi. By positioning himself again in the race, he is relaunching the debate on the need for the opposition to agree around a single candidacy.
However, this candidacy risks causing turmoil within his own party. Indeed, Martin Fayulu had conditioned his participation on the audit of the electoral register and had prohibited his lieutenants from running in the legislative elections. The latter therefore gave up on running, while he finally decided to be a candidate.
One week before the end of the submission of candidacies, the presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains marked by twists and turns and complex political strategies. Martin Fayulu thus brings a new dynamic to the race and raises the question of unity within the opposition, while emphasizing the need for increased electoral transparency. The coming months will be decisive for the political future of the country.