The December 2023 presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo is fast approaching and the opposition is preparing to present a joint candidacy. With this in mind, discussions are planned for the beginning of next week in South Africa, under the aegis of a South African NGO, the In Transformation Initiative (ITI). The objective of these discussions is to explore possibilities for collaboration between the different opposition actors, with the aim of nominating a common candidate and creating a common electoral platform.
These discussions are of crucial importance for the Congolese opposition, which still finds itself in disarray. Among the candidates expected to participate in these discussions, we find well-known figures such as Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Delly Sesanga, Denis Mukwege and Matata Ponyo Mapon. These political figures have significant weight within the opposition and their positions could play a determining role in the nomination of a common candidate.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) recently published the final list of candidates for the presidential election, thus reducing the number of applicants to 26. Among them is the outgoing president, Félix Tshisekedi, who enjoys broad support in the within the Sacred Union. However, the opposition hopes it can rally its forces behind a single candidate to maximize its chances of winning the election.
The prospect of a joint opposition candidacy raises many hopes among Congolese voters, who see in this initiative a possibility of change and political stability. However, there are still challenges to overcome and questions to be resolved before this joint bid becomes a reality. The coming days will therefore be decisive for the Congolese opposition, which will have to find consensus and demonstrate unity to be able to present a strong and credible candidate against the outgoing president.
In conclusion, the Congolese opposition is preparing for important discussions in South Africa with a view to nominating a common candidate for the presidential election in December 2023. These discussions are essential for the opposition, which seeks to come together and present a credible alternative to the outgoing president. The coming days will be decisive for the future of the Congolese opposition and for the entire country.