Press review of Monday December 18, 2023
The electoral campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is drawing to a close, with presidential, legislative and municipal elections scheduled for Wednesday, December 20. According to Kinshasa newspapers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced that the propaganda period would end on Monday, December 18 at 11:59 p.m. The approximately 50,000 candidates are required to respect certain rules, in particular by removing their posters within a radius of 100 meters from voting centers and avoiding the distribution of propaganda documents on election day.
The CENI also carried out a third full-scale test to simulate the conduct of the vote and the transmission of results in certain voting sites in Kinshasa. This aims to ensure that the electoral process runs smoothly and transparently.
However, some newspapers warn of the risks of contesting the electoral results. The daily Le Potentiel denounces the premature declarations of candidates who already proclaim themselves winners on the basis of the mobilization during their rallies. This strategy risks paving the way for post-election protest, according to the newspaper.
Aside from politics, the national coach of the DRC football team, Sébastien Desabre, is expected to announce on December 27 the names of the 27 Leopards who will participate in the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 2024. This news raises hope for Congolese youth and local talent, who see this competition as an opportunity to shine on the international stage.
In a completely different register, the Fatshimetrie blog offers a review of articles on various subjects such as the controversies in New Zealand, Chris Mavinga’s commitments to Congolese football, the violent attack on the Union Sportive bus Tshinkunku in Lubumbashi, the fatal shipwreck in the Mediterranean and the consequences of the controversial agreements between Tshisekedi and Kagame for the DRC.
Furthermore, the blog also addresses issues such as the rules of engagement of the Israeli army following the tragic incident in Gaza, the unique identity of the online community thanks to the MediaCongo code, the medicine crisis in Nigeria that endangers the health of Nigerians, the assistance of Egyptian military transport planes to ensure peaceful elections in the DRC, and finally, the urgent call for action to combat the trafficking of boys in Africa and protect the childhood.
In short, the press review for Monday December 18, 2023 highlights the latest developments in the electoral campaign in the DRC, as well as various current topics which arouse interest and reflection.