**Postponement of the elections of urban councilors and mayors: The challenges of local democracy in the DRC**
The Regard Citoyen Observation Mission has expressed major concern about the postponement of elections for urban, bourgeois and deputy mayors of municipalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This decision to indefinitely postpone these elections has raised questions about the impact on the decentralization process and democratic stability in the country.
Indeed, local democracy is an essential pillar of the democratic governance of a country. Municipal elections allow citizens to choose their local representatives, who are responsible for making crucial decisions for the well-being of communities. Postponing these elections therefore risks compromising the legitimacy of local institutions and weakening citizens’ confidence in their leaders.
The Citizen View Observation Mission also underlines the importance of correcting the existing asymmetry between local institutions, in particular between elected municipal councilors and unelected mayors. This disparity could lead to tensions and conflicts within municipal executives, thus compromising the stability and effectiveness of local governance.
In this context, it is crucial that the Government of the DRC invests in resolving the financial deficit reported by the CENI. It is imperative to guarantee the resources necessary for the organization of municipal elections in order to allow the continuation of the electoral process and the establishment of legitimate municipal executives.
The MOE Regard Citoyen also recommends that the CENI make public its updated operational timetable, giving priority to the elections of mayors. This transparency is essential to strengthen citizen confidence in the electoral process and ensure the credibility of the results.
Finally, the Regard Citoyen Observation Mission counts on the goodwill of all stakeholders to promote democracy and consolidate local institutions in the DRC. It is imperative that political actors, civil society and citizens commit together to guarantee free, transparent and democratic elections, which can strengthen the legitimacy of local authorities and promote the sustainable development of communities.
In conclusion, the postponement of elections for urban councilors and mayors in the DRC raises crucial questions about democratic stability and local governance. It is imperative that the authorities take effective measures to resolve the obstacles to the organization of these polls and to ensure the legitimacy and transparency of the electoral process.