The co-optation of traditional leaders to join provincial assemblies in the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently the subject of particular attention by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). According to the legal provisions in force, traditional chiefs must be pre-selected and designated as candidates for co-optation as provincial deputies.
However, this process does not go smoothly. The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Security and Customary Affairs, Peter Kazadi, reported tensions and unrest within the different organizations of customary powers. He attributes this situation to the involvement of certain political actors who seek to influence co-optation for the elections of senators and provincial governors.
These tensions were also observed during the installation of age offices within provincial assemblies. In certain provinces, these offices were set up even before the validation of the mandates of provincial elected officials. However, the constitution of the final offices is planned after this validation, in accordance with the procedure followed for the National Assembly.
To reach the total number of 780 provincial deputies planned for the whole country, the traditional chiefs who will be co-opted will complement the provincial deputies already provisionally proclaimed by the CENI. For example, in Kinshasa, 4 customary chiefs are needed to complete the provincial assembly which has a total of 48 provincial deputies.
The rearranged electoral calendar sets the period from February 2 to 16, 2024 for the opening and operation of the Candidature Reception and Processing Offices (BRTC). Elections for senators are scheduled for March 31, 2024, followed a week later, on April 7, 2024, by elections for governors and vice-governors.
In conclusion, the process of co-opting customary leaders for provincial assemblies in the Democratic Republic of Congo is causing tensions and turmoil. The involvement of certain political actors in this process, with a view to future elections, is at the origin of these difficulties. It is important to closely monitor the development of this situation in the coming weeks.