Denis Mukwege, famous Congolese Nobel Prize-winning gynecologist, has just launched his electoral campaign in his hometown of Bukavu. If he is elected president next month, he promises to tackle the corruption and conflicts ravaging his country.
In front of his enthusiastic supporters, Dr. Mukwege declared that he would use his political power to end war, eradicate famine and fight corruption. He stressed that despite the DRC’s immense natural resources, including the second largest rainforest in the world, the country is still largely dependent on imports for its livelihood.
Dr Mukwege urged people to aim for food self-sufficiency, saying Congo had the potential to produce its own food. He also stressed the need to develop local industries to create jobs and boost the economy.
The electoral campaign is underway in the DRC in view of the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for December 20. The outgoing president, Félix Tshisekedi, is running for re-election alongside 24 other candidates.
However, many Bukavu residents are skeptical of the candidates’ promises and are calling for concrete actions to combat the armed conflicts, corruption and poverty plaguing the country.
“It is time to put words into action. We need a leader who will be able to implement real reforms and fight corruption,” said Elie Yengayenga, a resident of Bukavu.
The DRC, a conflict-torn country in Central Africa, has around 100 million inhabitants. Despite its immense natural wealth, the country faces many challenges, including the fight against poverty, corruption and armed violence.
Dr. Mukwege’s candidacy arouses hope among many Congolese who see in him a leader of integrity and determined to put an end to the suffering of the population. The question now remains whether these promises will be fulfilled once he is in power, and whether the Congolese people will finally regain the long-awaited peace and prosperity.