*Fatshimetrie*
The excitement was palpable in Masi-Manimba as the December 15 elections approached. Residents were busy, preparing and enthusiastically discussing the vote that would take place in a few hours. The elections were at the heart of all conversations, fueling debates in public places in the city.
Near the CENI site, preparations were in full swing. A saleswoman, asked about her plans for election day, said she had organized everything to exercise her right to vote. She declared with determination: “If it rains, we will take umbrellas to go and vote. We are not made of sugar to fear the rain. We will go and vote to contribute to the development of our territory, because it is in great need of it. I have prepared everything to go and vote tomorrow, whatever the weather conditions.”
For the president of the local civil society consultation framework, the wait for the elections was comparable to the pains of childbirth. He expressed with conviction: “Tomorrow will be the moment of birth, the moment when our voice will be heard. We had doubts about holding elections, but today they are a reality. We will go to the polls tomorrow to confirm our commitment to democracy and the future of our country.”
However, the shadow of the tumultuous elections of 2023 still hung over the minds of the inhabitants. They were mobilizing for real change, expressing their refusal of corruption and their desire to see their territory prosper. A father expressed bitterly: “We must turn the page on the corruption that has hindered our progress. We hope that these elections will take place in peace and transparency, so that Masi-Manimba can finally experience new growth.”
This same father made a harsh assessment of the former elected officials of Masi-Manimba, regretting their inaction and their lack of commitment to the territory. He criticized the dilapidated state of infrastructure, the lack of employment opportunities, and the lack of visible development in the area. He lamented: “Masi-Manimba’s representatives in Parliament have never stood up for our territory. We are abandoned, left to fend for ourselves, with no hope of seeing positive change. Masi-Manimba is in a sorry state, and it is high time for things to change.”
In short, on the eve of the crucial December 15 elections, the people of Masi-Manimba were preparing to make their voices heard, to break with a past marked by corruption and inaction, and to pave the way for a brighter future for their community. The stakes were high, the expectations were high, but the hope for a better future was stronger than ever.