In the tormented political landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the opposition continues to struggle to come together around the choice of its leader – spokesperson. A position planned since 2007, but never materialized due to persistent differences within the different factions. More recently, it was the camp of the opponent Moïse Katumbi who relaunched the process of appointing this spokesperson, sparking a new wave of debates and tensions within the Congolese opposition.
The designation of the opposition spokesperson is of particular importance, given that he is chosen by the opposition deputies and senators in the Parliament of the DRC. Occupying the rank of Minister of State and having a substantial budget, this function is crucial for representing and defending the interests of the opposition within government institutions. Moïse Katumbi received the support of former Prime Ministers Matata Mponyo and Adolphe Muzito, despite the difference in the number of MPs supporting them.
However, the wing led by Martin Fayulu, who boycotted the legislative elections, categorically refuses the appointment of a spokesperson, arguing that this goes against their anti-establishment position. This position is shared by the party of opponent Delly Sesanga, another ally of Moïse Katumbi during the presidential election. According to them, in a context marked by an institutional crisis and a weakened democracy, the official role of the opposition remains ineffective in carrying the voice of the Congolese population, faced with poverty, repression and insecurity. Some opponents even go so far as to propose a reform of the law to allow parties not represented in Parliament to participate in the nomination process.
The Congolese opposition thus finds itself at a crossroads, torn between the need to come together to have greater influence in the political landscape and the difficulty of overcoming internal dissensions. The question of the nomination of the spokesperson only reflects the deep divisions and differences of approach within the opposition, highlighting the challenges it faces in asserting itself as a united and mobilized political force in the serving the Congolese population.