The general elections which took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 20 provoked strong reactions and were the subject of numerous criticisms. Among the voices raised to denounce the problems encountered during this electoral process, that of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa, Fridolin Ambongo, is particularly notable.
In his homily delivered during Christmas mass, Cardinal Ambongo denounced a “gigantic organized disorder” during the elections. According to him, the events which took place and the elements which were reported to him testify to orchestrated planning to sow chaos. The elections, which should have been a celebration of democratic values, quickly turned into frustration for many citizens.
The archbishop also mentioned shocking images showing a woman lynched after defending the ideologies of a political opponent. This unacceptable violence raises questions about the image that the DRC projects internationally, and questions how the country can sink so low.
The Catholic and Protestant churches deployed an observation mission made up of 25,000 people to monitor and parallel tabulate the votes, in order to ensure that the voters’ choice was respected by the Electoral Commission. This initiative demonstrates the importance given to transparency and verification of results.
It is essential to learn lessons from these elections and work to improve the electoral process in the DRC. Recent events underline the importance of guaranteeing a transparent, democratic and fair electoral process, in order to avoid the repetition of similar situations.
It is now up to the Congolese authorities, the Electoral Commission and the political class to take the necessary measures to restore citizens’ confidence and ensure free and fair elections in the future.
It is essential to promote a strong democratic culture and put in place the necessary measures to prevent any disorder and violence during the upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Political stability and people’s confidence are the foundations of a prosperous and peaceful nation.
Elections in the DRC remain a major issue for the future of the country and it is imperative that we work together to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process, which truly reflects the voice of the Congolese people.