Eastern DR Congo has been ravaged by conflict for three decades, with an estimated 5.4 million people dying from hunger and disease since World War Two. After years of political instability and coups d'état, DR Congo is organising elections for the first time since the peaceful power transfer between former President Joseph Kabila and Tshisekedi in 2019.
The 22 presidential candidates, including Tshisekedi, have been selected following the withdrawal of four candidates, including former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo. The primary challengers are Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, and Dr. Denis Mukwege. The four withdrawn candidates supported Katumbi and his "Together for the Republic" party.
Only two women are in the race: Marie-Josée Ifoku Mputa and Joëlle Bile. Candidates had to pay 160 million Congolese francs in non-refundable application fees of R1.14 Million ($60,000; £47,000), less than the previous election fee of R1.9 Million ($100,000). The voting system allows the winner to become the next president, with no second-round run-off. Voting takes place 90 days before the expiry of the current president's term.
The upcoming elections in DR Congo are marked by conflict in the East, economic and social crises, and a lack of trust between the government and the opposition. Opposition parties accuse the government of electoral fraud and restricting freedoms and democratic space. The Independent National Electoral Commission (Ceni) has failed to alleviate these concerns, with bishops of DR Congo's influential Catholic Church and leaders of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) sharing their concerns.
The cost-of-living crisis is also a concern, with inflation reducing the purchasing power of ordinary citizens, forcing them to pay more for necessities like food. The Congolese franc has fallen by 15-20% against the US dollar since the start of the year, and two-thirds of the population now lives below the poverty line. President Tshisekedi has launched initiatives to address these issues, including free primary school education and healthcare for women giving birth at public medical facilities. However, opinion remains divided over the effectiveness of these measures nationwide.
The conflict in the east continues, with rebel groups such as the M23, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), and Codeco continuing to carry out attacks against both ordinary people and military targets. DR Congo has among the highest number of internally displaced people in the world, with nearly 6.9 million people forced to flee their homes since March 2022.
Insecurity is likely to disrupt voting in some parts of the country, with the electoral commission losing around 30 agents to drowning and attacks by armed groups during voter registration. The Congolese government has demanded the departure of troops from East African countries by the end of the year, accusing them of failing to stop attacks from armed groups less than a year after their deployment.
The European Union observer mission has pulled out of the election due to failure to reach an agreement with the Congolese government over the importation of communication devices. The next president will be sworn into office on 20 January.
