Title: VAR (Video): Moïse Katumbi’s persuasive strategy to question Félix Tshisekedi’s “achievements”
Introduction :
During the electoral campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Moïse Katumbi positioned himself as one of the main challengers to the outgoing president, Félix Tshisekedi. One of the rhetorical strategies used by Katumbi to generate support from voters is the use of the sporting metaphor of “VAR”. By inviting his supporters to respond “video” when he pronounces “VAR”, Katumbi seeks to contest and question Tshisekedi’s so-called “achievements”. In this article, we will analyze this persuasive strategy and its impact on the electoral campaign in the DRC.
1. The concept of VAR (Video): a sporting metaphor in politics
VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is a device used in football to help referees make fair and objective decisions. Inspired by this metaphor, Moïse Katumbi uses VAR as a means of questioning the achievements proclaimed by Félix Tshisekedi. By asking his supporters to respond “video” when he says “VAR”, Katumbi suggests that the outgoing president’s so-called “achievements” need to be examined more closely before being accepted as absolute truths.
2. Interactions with crowds: validation of social reality
By encouraging his supporters to answer closed questions on social subjects such as infrastructure, youth employment, etc., Katumbi seeks to obtain negative answers which contradict Tshisekedi’s speech on the “consolidation of achievements”. By involving crowds in this process of interactions, Katumbi strengthens their sense of belonging and validation of their social reality. Through this approach, he seeks to generate a questioning of the so-called “achievements” of the outgoing president.
3. The ethos of Katumbi and its ability to respond to social needs
Katumbi also uses his experience as a businessman and former governor to reassure voters of his ability to meet their social needs. By presenting himself as “the man who loves people”, he seeks to establish an ethos of proximity with the populations, promising to respond effectively to their concerns. This approach aims to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the Local Development Program put in place by Tshisekedi and to propose a credible alternative.
Conclusion :
Moïse Katumbi’s persuasive strategy using the metaphor of VAR (Video) in his electoral campaign in the DRC attracted the attention and engagement of voters. By questioning Félix Tshisekedi’s so-called “achievements” and positioning himself as a credible alternative, Katumbi seeks to benefit from the support of voters and overturn the expected results of the presidential election.. This approach highlights the importance of rhetoric and persuasive techniques in politics, and calls for an in-depth analysis of political discourse to understand the issues and motivations of political actors.