Category: Politics

During a forum of stakeholders in the electoral process, the President of the CENI, Denis Kadima Kazadi, shared the progress of the electoral preparations, emphasizing the importance of the credibility of the process. He discussed the different steps taken by the CENI, as well as the difficulties encountered. He also underlined the transparency of the institution and answered questions from the audience. Organized by international institutions, this forum fostered dialogue and strengthened the commitment of all actors for a credible and inclusive electoral process. The President of the CENI reaffirmed the will of the institution to respect the electoral calendar and to organize transparent and legitimate elections on December 20, 2023.

In this excerpt from the article, President Félix Tshisekedi’s decision not to physically settle in Goma is discussed, despite his initial promise. However, he reaffirms his commitment to solving security problems in eastern DRC by using technology and the means of communication to stay informed and make decisions. This decision is met with mixed reactions, but it is clear that the President remains committed to improving the situation in the region.

CENI President Denis Kadima is trying to convince the political opposition of the credibility of the ongoing electoral process in the DRC. After meeting several opposition figures, he announced a meeting with former President Joseph Kabila, which sparked controversial reactions. This meeting aims to build confidence in the electoral process and gain Kabila’s support to ease tensions. The CENI thus continues its efforts of dialogue and persuasion to ensure fair and transparent elections in the DRC.

LUCHA denounces the restrictions of the democratic space in the province of Kasaï-Central, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since the arrival of Governor John Kabeya Shikeyi in power, many acts of political intolerance have been recorded, such as vandalism, physical attacks, torture, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and programs inciting hatred. LUCHA strongly condemns this situation and calls on the Minister of the Interior to take urgent measures. She also warns that she will take action if her recommendations are not taken into account. This situation constitutes an attack on the fundamental rights of citizens and compromises the consolidation of the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In an article entitled “Dismissal of the President of the Provincial Assembly of Kinshasa: the reasons for a controversial decision”, we analyze the dismissal of the President of the Provincial Assembly, Godé Mpoyi, by the provincial deputies of Kinshasa. The reasons for this dismissal include abuse of power and contested management, tensions with the governor of the city of Kinshasa, as well as a motion of no confidence initiated by an influential MP from the MLC party. This decision highlights political rivalries and governance issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The European Union undertakes to support the Democratic Republic of Congo during the December 2023 elections. It stresses the importance of competitive, peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections, while recognizing the concerns expressed by the political opposition and the civil society. Freedom of expression, of the media, of assembly, of association and of movement are considered essential to guarantee the integrity of the electoral process. The EU also calls on Congolese political actors to condemn hate speech and xenophobia, and to reject any form of division based on ethnicity, religion, language, region or origin. The elections in the DRC in December 2023 are crucial for democracy and stability in Central Africa, and the EU stands ready to support the holding of free and fair elections.

This article sheds light on the strained relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has denounced Rwanda’s support for M23 terrorists, responsible for numerous crimes in North Kivu province. Despite evidence of Rwanda’s involvement, the latter still denies responsibility. Tshisekedi also points out that Rwanda is trying to push the DRC to negotiate with an M23 faction while keeping dissent in reserve to further destabilize the region. Despite the tensions, it is essential that the two countries find a way to resolve differences and work together to ensure stability in the region.

In this article, we focus on the security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and examine the issues and the actors involved. Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of being responsible for this crisis, accusing it of aggression and support for armed groups in the region. However, the evidence for this involvement remains subject to debate. Despite this, Tshisekedi is open to negotiations with Rwanda to resolve the crisis, although this is complex given Rwanda’s alleged support for armed groups against the Congolese government. The East African force, which is supposed to intervene in the region, has also been criticized, with Tshisekedi saying it has favored certain armed groups. However, discussions are underway to resolve these issues. In conclusion, the security crisis in the DRC poses a major challenge and will require sincere dialogue and cooperation between regional actors to find a peaceful and lasting solution.

The Congolese government continues to press for sanctions against Rwanda for its support of the armed group M23. A UN report confirmed these links and the role of Rwandan officers in M23 operations. The Congolese government is calling for severe and exemplary sanctions for those responsible for these acts of violence. The recent decision by the UK Court of Appeal to rule that Rwanda is not a “safe third country” for asylum seekers confirms the human rights abuses committed by the Rwandan government. Despite Rwanda’s denials, the evidence accumulated by the UN clearly shows the Rwandan army’s support for the M23. The Congolese government calls for concrete measures and targeted sanctions to punish those responsible for these crimes. He also calls on the international community to show firmness. The truth must be established to end impunity and guarantee security and stability in eastern DRC.

In this article, we explore the challenges facing the opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the upcoming presidential elections. One of the main obstacles is to manage to present a single and unifying candidate in order to maximize the chances of victory. Martin Fayulu and Moïse Katumbi Chapwe are emerging as potential leaders, but they must overcome obstacles such as flexibility and the resolution of political and legal crises in order to convince voters. The success of the opposition will depend on their ability to unify their political vision and mobilize voter support against the incumbent president.