The presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are a major issue for the country. With the publication of the official list of candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni), the race for the presidency is now launched. However, despite this important step, concerns remain about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
The fact that the Constitutional Court validated all the applications is considered a positive signal in terms of inclusiveness. Delly Sesanga, presidential candidate and president of the Envol party, welcomes this progress, emphasizing the importance of the participation of all political actors. However, he also expresses concerns about other aspects of the electoral process.
Delly Sesanga points to several persistent problems, including restricted freedom of opinion in the DRC. Journalists and activists find themselves imprisoned for expressing their opinions. In addition, security conditions are not guaranteed for all candidates, some of them having already been victims of attacks. These incidents raise doubts about the neutrality of the institutions responsible for organizing the elections, namely the CENI and the Constitutional Court.
Behind these concerns lies the hardening of the political climate in the country. Since the start of this electoral process, the regime in place has failed to establish a climate of consensus and has often opted for unilateral decisions. Delly Sesanga highlights the lack of transparency and the irregularities which marred the establishment of electoral institutions.
Faced with these issues, the question of a joint opposition candidacy arises. Delly Sesanga believes that such an approach would be useful to counter attempts at fraud, but he also recalls the importance of having a common project and a clear program to generate support from voters. He deplores the lack of detailed programs among the 26 candidates in the running, stressing that only a common vision will make it possible to turn the country around.
Despite these challenges, Delly Sesanga remains optimistic about the mobilization of the Congolese people to participate massively in the elections and change the destiny of the country. He calls for a collective surge to face obstacles and build a better future for the DRC together.
In conclusion, the presidential elections in the DRC raise both hopes and concerns. While the inclusiveness of the electoral process is a positive signal, concerns remain about the neutrality of institutions, attacks on freedom of opinion and security conditions. A joint opposition candidacy could be a solution to counter manipulation and mobilize voters around a common project. The destiny of the DRC now rests on the will of the Congolese people to make their voices heard and build a better future.