By Frank Kamuntu
Moïse Katumbi, a prominent political figure and candidate in the upcoming presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), suspended two campaign events following a violent incident at an election rally on Wednesday.
Katumbi said that police fired live rounds during the event while Kongo Central governer Guy Bandu stated that Katumbi’s guards fired warning shots after the crowd grew disorderly and rowdy. Several people were reportedly injured, including a police officer.
Katumbi, in a post shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), alleged that the incident had been orchestrated by anti-opposition activists to incite violence ahead of the December elections:
”The serious incidents that punctuated the Moanda meeting demonstrate the weakness of our adversaries who are overcome by the fear of losing power. I salute all the people who were victims of the violence caused by criminals who wore the symbols of a majority party. The images, the live ammunition fired by the police, and the testimonies confirm that these incidents were programmed, planned and orchestrated with a desire to commit crime. God wanted it otherwise.”
He went on saying, “In order not to give in to further provocations, I have decided to temporarily suspend my meeting with the populations [in the cities] of Kananga and Tshikapa.”
The incident in Moanda is the latest in a series of violent scenes encountered during this election, with security agencies attacking journalists and closing at least one broadcast station.
On November 27, a security agent working for the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC) and around 10 of its supporters punched Jerry Lombo Alauwa, who works as a reporter with the privately owned Canal Congo Télévision (CCTV) and Radio Liberté Kisangani (RALIK) broadcasters, in the head and arm, and pulled his clothes.
Since November 22, freelance reporter John Kanyunyu Kyota told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that he has received at least four death threats from anonymous callers purporting to be members of DRC intelligence agents.
Kanyunyu has worked for the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle in the country’s Beni city and runs a WhatsApp group called “Habari Moto Moto,” which serves as a forum for local political news. The anonymous callers suggested that content Kanyunyu shared on “Habari Moto Moto”, including old videos of Tshisekedi, have been overly supportive of opposition presidential candidate Moïse Katumbi.
Kanyunyu told CPJ that he was not or against working for any candidate, but rather in favor of the population who have the right to information relating to the election, and that he had gone into hiding as a result of the threats.
“Attacks on journalists Jerry Lombo Alauwa, Mao Zigabe, and Neyker Tokolo, threats against reporter John Kanyunyu Kyota, and the closure of Radio Top Lisala are stark examples of the various dangers faced by Congolese press covering ongoing election campaigns,” said Muthoki Mumo, CPJ’s sub-Saharan Africa representative, in Nairobi. “The safety of journalists is critical as the DRC approaches its nationwide elections on December 20, and authorities must ensure reporters can cover campaign events and voting without fear of reprisal.”
The election is set to take place on December 20.
Presidential Candidates In This Election
- Felix Tshisekedi
Félix Tshisekedi, 60, became president five years ago after a controversial election that another opponent, Martin Fayulu, claims he won. He is the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), which was also the party of his father, the historic opponent Etienne Tshisekedi, who died in 2017.
Upon coming to power, Félix, known as “Fatshi”, improved his image abroad, breaking with the isolationism of his predecessor Joseph Kabila. He also promised to improve the lives of the Congolese, to fight corruption and to do everything to bring peace to the east of the country. He did not achieve his objectives, recognizing that much remains to be done, but he is the favourite against an opposition which, barring any twists and turns, presents itself divided in the single-round election.
2. Moses Katumbi
Moïse Katumbi, 58, is a wealthy businessman, boss of the renowned Lubumbashi (south-east) football club Tout Puissant Mazembe and former governor (2007-2015) of the mining province of Katanga, the economic heart of the country, where he was born. His father was Italian, which made him a prime target for the heralds of “Congolity” , whose leader also tried to have his candidacy invalidated.
Leader of the “Together for the Republic” party, he highlights his business successes and his record in Katanga, with construction of roads, schools and development of agriculture, to assert that he will know how to manage the country.
3. Martin Fayulu
Martin Fayulu, 66 years old (67 on November 21), is the leader of the Ecidé party (Commitment to Citizenship and Development). This former executive of an oil major wants his revenge. For five years, his supporters have referred to him as “the president-elect” , since according to them the victory was stolen from him in the 2018 election. Once again affirming his conviction that the dice will be loaded for that of next December, he for a time maintained the suspense over his candidacy, which he finally confirmed on September 30.
4. Denis Mukwege
Denis Mukwege , 68, gynecologist, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2018 for his work with raped women, is a long-time critic of power and continues to demand justice for the victims of armed violence in his country.
“The man who repairs women”, a nickname inherited from a documentary dedicated to him, has no political basis and was slow to launch. He finally announced on October 2 that he would be a candidate, denouncing “the corrupt and predatory practices” which keep the majority of Congolese in poverty. Son of a Pentecostal pastor, he is originally from South Kivu (east), where he runs a hospital.
5. Adolphe Muzito
Adolphe Muzito, 66, is a former Prime Minister (2008-2012) of Joseph Kabila, also a former Minister of Budget and ex-inspector of Finance, leader of the “Nouvel Elan” party, former ally of Martin Fayulu in the Lamuka coalition.
6. Delly Sesanga
Delly Sesanga, 53, lawyer, deputy for Luiza (Kasaï central) and leader of the Envol party (Together of volunteers for the development of the DRC), supported the candidacy of Félix Tshisekedi in 2018, of whom he became a virulent critic, denouncing “his inability to restore the country” and his “broken promises”.
The candidate who withdrew on Sunday is Augustin Matata Ponyo, 59, another former Prime Minister (2012-2016) of Joseph Kabila. Leader of the Leadership and Governance for Development (LGD) party, he decided to side with Moïse Katumbi.
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