The Congolese populace, enduring five years of unprecedented violence and pushed into abject poverty, harbors deep resentment against the power-hungry autocrat, Tshisekedi. In response, they ousted him in the presidential election on December 20, 2023. However, Tshisekedi is now making attempts to manipulate the election outcome, a move that could potentially force the Congolese people to take it up to the streets and oust him to exile.
First off, the Committee of the Bishops’ Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CENCO) and the Election Observation Mission of the Church (ECC) reveal that more than 30% of polling stations failed to open their doors on Wednesday alone. Denis Kadima, the boss of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), had long sounded the alarm, demanding a billion dollars to ensure the elections ran smoothly. Tshisekedi refused, leading to significant delays in acquiring and delivering crucial electoral materials. Come voting day, opposition strongholds found themselves devoid of voting machines, ballot papers, and other essential electoral tools.
Secondly, in another damning report by CENCO-ECC, 45% of voting centers experienced crippling malfunctions in the electronic voting system. Adding fuel to the fire, 7% of offices faced violence, and a further 5% were ruthlessly ransacked. The protests against Tshisekedi’s electoral coup have taken a dark turn, marked by rampant looting, houses set ablaze, and acts of vandalism against public buildings. The situation is getting more dangerous, with signs of ethnic violence emerging.
Thirdly, soon there will be an announcement of a fraudulent victory by Félix Tshisekedi, potentially triggering fresh political turmoil in the DRC that could lead to his removal. The aftermath of the electoral dispute might find resolution through discussions with Tshisekedi, negotiating the terms of his resignation from the presidential role in the DRC by December 31, 2023, at the latest. This scenario draws parallels to the historical negotiations between Laurent-Désiré Kabila and Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga, which transpired aboard the South African vessel Luthenica back in 1997.
It’s crucial to recall that Félix Tshisekedi assumed the presidency through a political alliance with Joseph Kabila, designed to thwart Martin Fayulu’s victory in the December 2018 presidential elections. Tshisekedi, a former pizza delivery driver in Belgium, turned out to be a disaster for the Congolese people, lacking the intellectual capacity to address the persistent challenges of the DRC. During his presidency, Tshisekedi’s noteworthy assets were the frequent mentions of the names “Kagame” (117 times) and “Rwanda” (92 times), primarily observed during his campaign trail.
In a nutshell, a significant portion of the Congolese populace has voiced their disapproval of Tshisekedi’s occupancy of the Palais de la Nation, and if he persists against the will of the people, the Congolese are prepared to take their grievances to the streets of Gombe. Notably, the coalition FCC led by former President Kabila has already called upon its executives and activists to be prepared. Per constitutional provisions, they aim to mobilize collectively, striving to halt Tshisekedi’s dictatorial regime that, through the misuse of public power, governs the country in defiance of the Constitution and the laws of the Republic.
ellenkampire