Category: Politics

Electoral governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo is in question as the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) faces widespread criticism. Despite CENI’s operational and technical shortcomings, President Felix Tshisekedi expressed his satisfaction, which was strongly contested by the Coordination for Election Analysis and Monitoring (CASE). The latter calls for the resignation of the president of the CENI, Denis Kadima Kazadi, and criticizes the decision to invest him at the head of the organization. CASE accuses Denis Kadima of corruption and of having contributed to the rupture between religious denominations in the DRC. It is crucial that President Tshisekedi heed criticism and make responsible decisions to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

The Secretary General of the UDPS, Augustin Kabuya, met the future candidates of his party in the legislative elections in the DRC. He praised the achievements of President Felix Tshisekedi, including free education. Kabuya encourages candidates to publicize the president’s achievements during the election campaign. They also discussed the preparations for the December 2023 elections. On the blog you can also find other interesting articles on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a hard-hitting new article, titled “Electoral Fraud in the DRC – The Congolese People Unmask a New Strategy”, we discover how the Sacred Union regime in the Democratic Republic of Congo is trying to distort the electoral process in favor of candidate Félix Tshisekedi. By deploying executives and activists of the presidential party in the Offices of Reception and Processing of Candidacies of the CENI, the regime seeks to control the candidacies of the opposition. The confidence of the Congolese people in the electoral process is strongly shaken and calls for action by political leaders to avoid the sinking of the system. The removal of the minister responsible for the fraud is necessary, as is the restoration of the confidence of the people.

This article extract presents the discussions between Adolphe Muzito, president of the “Nouvel élan” party in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Denis Kadima Kazadi, president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Ceni), on the challenges and issues elections in the DRC. The main problem addressed is the incompleteness of the electoral register, excluding certain territories from participation in the elections. Muzito insists on the importance of their inclusion and expresses his dissatisfaction with the composition of the Ceni, which he considers unrepresentative. It also stresses the need to respect the constitutional deadline for holding elections and encourages the government to release the necessary funds. However, the Ceni believes that solving these problems requires the collaboration of different authorities and political actors. It is therefore essential that all parties work together in a transparent manner to ensure credible and inclusive elections.

The proposed Congolese law continues to create heated debates in the DRC. Initiated by Noël Tshiani and supported by Nsingi Pululu, it poses the condition of being a Congolese father and mother to run for the presidency. Some candidates feel targeted and fear exclusion. Nsingi Pululu affirms that he will seize the Constitutional Court to invalidate any candidacy that does not respect this condition. The review of the law is expected to take place after the next parliamentary session, scheduled for October or September. Its future remains uncertain but it will continue to fuel political tensions in the country. Case to follow.

The Governor of Kasai Central, John Kabeya Shikayi, offered animals to women members of the UDPS during a meeting in Kananga. He stressed the importance of unity for the re-election of President Tshisekedi and expressed his gratitude to the women who supported him. This symbolic gesture aims to strengthen ties with party members and mobilize their support for the upcoming elections.

The heated debates in the European Parliament have highlighted the involvement of the international community in the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Congolese Senator Laddy Yangotikala strongly denounced Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s financial support for armed groups in eastern DRC. These groups use violence against women as a weapon to destabilize the mineral-rich region. Although international reports have already documented this interference, Kigali’s response remains unsatisfactory. The debates provide an important platform to draw attention to this situation and find solutions to end violence and protect women’s rights.

In this article, we explored the spectacular escape of 28 hostages at the hands of ADF rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After more than a month in captivity, the hostages managed to escape during a clash between ADF rebels and local militiamen. Unfortunately, more than 150 hostages still remain in the hands of the ADF, raising concerns about their safety. The precarious situation in the Ituri region requires urgent measures to protect the population and restore peace. The escape of these hostages highlights the need to fight against armed groups and strengthen security in the DRC.

Adolphe Muzito, Congolese opposition leader and former Prime Minister, was invited to a meeting with the President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Denis Kadima, on July 3, 2023. Muzito expresses serious concerns about insufficient funding of the CENI and the distribution of seats for the elections. This meeting offers a chance for dialogue between the government and the opposition to find solutions guaranteeing free and transparent elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The summit of ECCAS Heads of State in Libreville addresses financial issues, regional integration and security in Central Africa. Discussions focus on financing the organization to accelerate regional integration and strengthen financing mechanisms. The economic, political and social integration of the region is essential for development and stability. Regional security, in particular the conflict in eastern DRC, is also at the center of discussions. Regional solidarity and aid to countries in crisis, such as Sudan, will also be discussed. The objective of this summit is to strengthen cooperation between member countries and take concrete measures to face common challenges.