Kinshasa, July 11, 2024 – A frenzy of indignation shook the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo as communal councilors, a determined crowd, gathered in front of the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) to express their frustration regarding the delay in the organization of mayoral elections.
The voices of councilors echoed in the streets of Kinshasa, firmly demanding the timetable for the long-awaited municipal elections. “More than four months have passed since the start of our mandates and we need to move on to the election of the incumbents of the municipalities. We will not let this request drop, we do not want any more negotiations,” declared Hugues Gelezi, municipal councilor of Gombe, thus expressing the united voice of local elected officials in the face of inaction.
Another councilor, Placide Kazadi from the commune of Rwashi in Lubumbashi, vehemently stressed: “We only want our rights, that is to say elections and nothing else. Without that, our work as municipal councilors are blocked, we cannot move forward. These words reflect the anguish of elected officials who, deprived of their democratic decision-making power, find themselves powerless in the exercise of their functions.
The demonstration by municipal councilors demonstrates a firm desire to assert their rights to transparent and fair elections. “We need these elections to be able to work effectively. Our working conditions are compromised, we lack adequate infrastructure and we denounce the mayors appointed by presidential orders who hinder our mission,” added Betty Mwanza, municipal councilor of Ngiri- Ngiri.
This protest echoes a previous mobilization of municipal councilors in front of the Congolese Parliament on July 2, where the need for elections of urban councilors and mayors had already been demanded. Local elected officials are determined not to give in until their legitimate demands are heard and respected.
The scene in front of the Céni headquarters in Kinshasa symbolizes the fight for democracy and the demand for transparency in the electoral processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Municipal councilors remain mobilized, ready to defend their rights and work for authentically democratic local governance.