Amid the tumult of political news in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a recent interview with presidential candidate Delly Sesanga has attracted attention. In this interview published by Jeune Afrique, Sesanga addresses various subjects, such as the current electoral process, opposition candidacies and the challenges of the upcoming presidential election.
When it comes to the electoral process, which the opposition has described as “fraudulent”, Delly Sesanga highlights the importance of massive voter participation and close monitoring of results to combat fraud. He recognizes the limits of this process, but affirms that boycotting the elections would pave the way for the victory of the ruling candidate, Félix Tshisekedi. According to him, it is preferable to actively participate in the vote to prevent fraud.
Regarding a possible joint candidacy of the opposition, Delly Sesanga believes that this should be based on criteria such as the project, profile and experience of public affairs. He raises the importance of focusing on ideas and projects rather than individuals, and recalls that the joint opposition candidacy in 2018 showed that it is possible to put someone in power without seeing significant changes in the country. Although he does not reject the idea of a joint candidacy for this election, he insists that he cannot make a personal decision to withdraw in favor of another candidate.
Delly Sesanga also calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the government to respect their commitments and ensure that the elections take place within the constitutional deadlines. He expresses doubts about the capacity of the CENI to organize elections that meet the challenges, particularly due to financial constraints. He still hopes that the deadlines will be respected, but underlines the importance of vigilance and responsibility of the actors involved.
In summary, Delly Sesanga highlights the need for strong voter mobilization and increased surveillance to counter electoral fraud. He calls for in-depth reflection on the selection criteria for opposition candidates and insists on the responsibility of the CENI and the government in holding the elections on schedule. This interview offers an overview of political issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the run-up to the presidential elections in December 2023.