The conduct of the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to raise concerns at the national and international level. The Coalition for Electoral Action and Security (CASE) recently called on President Félix Tshisekedi to demonstrate transparency and recognize the many shortcomings of the electoral process in the DRC.
In a statement, CASE stressed that the DRC should not just deny the problems linked to the elections, but rather recognize the challenges that hinder its smooth running. She also urged President Tshisekedi to convene a consensual political dialogue on democratic and electoral governance in the country.
It is undeniable that the Congolese electoral process faces many obstacles. The professional, logistical, security and financial limitations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) are well known and cannot be ignored. It is therefore essential that President Tshisekedi demonstrates responsibility by exposing these obstacles during his discussions with his UN counterparts.
The need for full transparency in the electoral process is paramount to preserving the democratic integrity of the country. CASE therefore encourages President Tshisekedi to tell the whole truth about the current situation and to share the challenges facing the DRC. This would increase international awareness and support to address these issues.
It is time for the DRC to adopt a more proactive approach in the management of its elections. Instead of continuing to beat around the bush and misrepresent a problematic electoral process, it is crucial that President Tshisekedi recognizes the existing shortcomings and actively works to resolve them.
A consensual political dialogue focused on democratic and electoral governance would be a step in the right direction. This would make it possible to involve all political actors and find common solutions to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in the DRC.
In conclusion, it is imperative that President Félix Tshisekedi demonstrate transparency and accountability by recognizing the challenges and obstacles that hinder the electoral process in the DRC. A proactive approach and consensual political dialogue are necessary to ensure democratic and credible elections in the country. Support from the international community is also essential to help the DRC overcome these challenges and strengthen its democracy.