The presidential party in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), is currently rocked by an unprecedented internal crisis. Indeed, Augustin Kabuya, leader of the party for two years, was recently dismissed from his duties by the UDPS disciplinary body. The reasons given for this decision are multiple, ranging from mismanagement to accusations of nepotism to lack of strategic vision.
This crisis, which had been brewing for several months, has finally come to light and highlighted the deep divergences within the presidential party. The dismissal of Augustin Kabuya was seen as the culmination of latent tensions between different currents within the UDPS. The decision of the disciplinary body, composed of members opposed to Kabuya, marked a turning point in the recent history of the party.
The departure of Augustin Kabuya has left a void at the head of the UDPS, but his deputy, Deo Bizibu, has been tasked with ensuring the interim while awaiting the appointment of a new leader. The latter has promised reforms and consultations to revive the party and prepare for the upcoming elections.
However, the crisis does not yet seem to be resolved, as Augustin Kabuya’s entourage disputes the legitimacy of his dismissal and claims that only President Félix Tshisekedi can decide the fate of the party. This situation risks prolonging the instability within the UDPS and further weakening its unity.
President Tshisekedi, for his part, has described these tensions as “democratic vitality” and expressed his wish to see the party quickly regain its balance. It is crucial for the future of the UDPS that the different currents can find common ground and work together to preserve the unity of the party.
In conclusion, the crisis within the UDPS represents a major challenge for the presidential party in the DRC. It is essential that the party members manage to overcome their differences and find consensual solutions to ensure its stability and sustainability.