Martin Fayulu confirms his candidacy for the presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In an announcement which puts an end to weeks of suspense, Martin Fayulu, famous Congolese opponent, confirmed his candidacy for the presidential election which will be held on December 20 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This announcement was made during a speech in Kinshasa, where the opponent also expressed his desire to fight for the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
Martin Fayulu, who had already finished in second position during the previous presidential election in 2018, will notably face current President Félix Tshisekedi, who is a candidate for re-election. Fayulu’s candidacy was officially supported by the opposition Lamuka coalition, despite controversies surrounding the electoral register and the threat of a boycott.
During his speech, Martin Fayulu declared: “The Lamuka coalition has decided to submit my candidacy for the presidential election. We will continue to fight to demand electoral transparency. If we have not succeeded in obtaining an audit of the electoral register, We will be vigilant during the vote.” The opponent, who has maintained for five years that victory was stolen from him in the 2018 presidential election, reaffirmed his determination to prevent any electoral fraud during the next election.
Fayulu’s political party, Ecidé (Commitment to Citizenship and Development), had already announced its official candidacy in July 2022, for the presidential election coupled with legislative, provincial and municipal elections. However, due to the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission to carry out a new audit of the electoral register, Fayulu had expressed his intention to boycott the elections. Finally, thanks to pressure from the opposition, progress was made, including the promise to publish the results polling station by polling station.
In 2018, during the contested presidential election, Martin Fayulu was confronted with the government candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary and Félix Tshisekedi of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS). Tshisekedi was declared the winner with 38.5% of the vote, while Fayulu obtained second position with 34.8% of the vote. Fayulu continued to claim victory with 61% of the vote, denouncing an “electoral putsch”.
This announcement of Martin Fayulu’s candidacy gives a new dynamic to the Congolese political scene and promises an exciting competition between the different forces present during the presidential election next December. All eyes will now be on the electoral campaign and the political issues that will shape the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo.