KINSHASA – The opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for joint protest across the country over what they say are rigged elections.
On Wednesday, police dispersed protesters demonstrating against the chaotic elections in Kinshasa by firing teargas. The government had banned the demos, saying they had no legal basis and are aimed at undermining the electoral process while tallying by the electoral body was still underway.
The protests in the capital had been called jointly by five opposition candidates, and the march was to lead up to CENI election commission headquarters.
Reacting to the police action, former Katanga Governor and Ensemble pour la Republique party presidential candidate Moise Katumbi said the Constitution grants the people the right to protest against “the sham elections” organized by the CENI.
” …the Congolese people decided – as the Constitution gives them the right to do – to take charge and march peacefully to demand a real election. The population’s only response was shooting and indiscriminate violence from the police. There are several injured. This is unacceptable!
“I strongly condemn the repression to which the people of Kinshasa have been victims, including many supporters of ECIDE, the sister party of Martin Fayulu,” Katumbi said in a statement.
He declared that the first march would be followed by other actions throughout the country.
“Cheating, fraud and lying will not pass. I express here my compassion to the injured and victims of the dictatorship. Their courage to peacefully defend freedom and democracy is in line with our heroes. All together we are condemned to take control of our destiny. A new Congo is possible!” he added.
In this face of this unacceptable situation, we are calling for the immediate annulment of this chaotic election tainted by massive fraud,
Moise Katumbi
On his part, Fayulu of the Lamuka Coalition, who decried rigging in the 2018 presidential election in which he finished second, said they would not accept rigged elections again, even as he demanded for the reconstitution of the electoral commission.
“No, no one will accept [Election chief] Denis Kadima’s sham elections and its farcical results. The Congolese people are now standing and nothing will stop their determination to recover their sovereignty and dignity through credible elections with a reconstituted CENI,” Fayulu said.
Katumbi last week called for the nullification of the election because of “massive fraud”.
“In this face of this unacceptable situation, we are calling for the immediate annulment of this chaotic election tainted by massive fraud,” Katumbi campaign team said in a statement.
The call for demonstrations has caused peace and stability concerns in the country already facing security challenges in the east. Some 13 embassies in Kinshasa, including those of Germany and France, released a joint statement on Saturday calling for restraint.
“As the vote counting continues, we urge all stakeholders, especially political actors, candidates and their supporters, to exercise restraint, allow the process to unfold, and raise their concerns peacefully,” the missions said.
Might you have a story, a news tip or would want to contribute an article to DiploBrief? Drop us an email at editor@thebrief.co.ke
