The democratic process in the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently at the heart of the concerns of the communal councilors of Kimbanseke, located east of Kinshasa. The essential question of the election of mayors is at the heart of the debates, with a pressing request for an immediate organization of this crucial election.
It is interesting to note the strong will of the communal councilors to see the mayors elected by local citizens, instead of being appointed. According to the words of Mvuemba Nsumbu, rapporteur of the Communal Council of Kimbanseke, the election of mayors is an essential step for the effective establishment of local bodies in accordance with the decentralization law in force since 2008.
The legitimacy of local institutions resulting from direct and indirect elections is a major issue for civil society, represented in particular by the organization “Acting for transparent and peaceful elections” (AETA). The interactive dialogue between municipal councillors and this civil society platform highlights the expectations and needs of the population, expressed through the specifications.
In the interests of transparency and legitimacy, it is crucial that local elected officials can be democratically elected by the major electors who are the municipal councillors. This requirement for local democracy seems to be a point of tension between the appointed authorities in place and the representatives elected by the population.
Thus, we can see in this insistent demand for the organisation of mayoral elections a desire to strengthen democracy at the local level and to allow better representation of citizens in the management of their municipal affairs. The mobilisation of municipal councillors and civil society to raise awareness among the population and ensure compliance with the legality of local elections is an important step towards more transparent and democratic governance.
In a context where citizen participation and local democracy are essential issues for the development of the country, this requirement to respect democratic principles in the context of local elections in Kinshasa is a strong signal of the willingness of local actors to work for legitimate and representative institutions. It is essential that the competent authorities respond to these legitimate demands to guarantee a transparent electoral process that respects the democratic rights of the local population.