The security situation in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru and Kwamouth in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the subject of an assessment by the government, following an appeal from President Félix Tshisekedi. In a meeting of the Council of Ministers held recently, the President highlighted a significant improvement in the security situation in these regions, thus making it possible to consider the possibility of organizing elections.
The gradual liberation of the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru, formerly under the influence of the M23 rebel group supported by Rwanda, as well as the appeasement observed in Kwamouth, prompted the President to ask the government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI ) to assess the situation and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of voters.
Concretely, the President gave precise instructions to the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Security and Customary Affairs, in order to deploy and strengthen the Congolese National Police in Kwamouth. It is also planned to supervise, in collaboration with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the return of displaced populations to the recently liberated areas of Rutshuru and Masisi.
For electoral operations to take place in these regions, it is essential to secure the activities of the CENI, in particular the opening of registration centers for the registration of voters and the summoning of the electorate. The CENI had already previously expressed its desire to benefit from security guarantees to carry out these operations.
The month of October is of great importance for these operations, because securing areas is an essential condition for censusing populations and thus guaranteeing the smooth running of the elections scheduled for December 2023. The success of these elections will therefore largely depend on the evolution of the security situation in these regions.
In conclusion, President Félix Tshisekedi asked the government to carry out an assessment of the security situation in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru and Kwamouth, with a view to guaranteeing the feasibility of organizing elections in these regions. Securing electoral operations is a major issue to ensure the participation of all voters and thus enable true democratic expression.