Democracy in Disarray: The Chaotic Election in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The country 

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, spanning an area the size of Western Europe with an estimated population of more than 100 million people. The country is rich in natural resources. DRC holds 70% of the world’s reserves of coltan, a highly prized mineral used in the production of mobile phones. Additionally, the country possesses 30% of the world’s diamonds, along with significant quantities of cobalt, copper, and bauxite. 

Despite its vast mineral wealth and large population, 60% of the citizens live in extreme poverty, earning less than $2.15 a day. This is attributed to conflicts, corruption, and decades of poor governance dating back to the colonial era. Eastern DR Congo, where the majority of the mineral wealth lies, has been ravaged by conflict for three decades.

Numerous lives have been lost due to conflict, with a 2008 study by the International Rescue Committee estimating that around 5.4 million people may have died due to conflict, making the Congo’s conflict the deadliest since World War Two. After years of political instability and coups, DRC organized elections for the first time since the peaceful transfer of power between former President Joseph Kabila and Mr. Tshisekedi in 2019. 

In the DRC, there is no second-round run-off. Therefore, the candidate with the most votes in the first round becomes the next president, whether or not they have more than 50%. The winner holds office for a five-year term, renewable once only.

The 2023 Election Context

General elections in the country were held on December 20th, with 44 million people participating. This year, voters were tasked with electing their president, national and provincial deputies, and communal councilors. The incumbent president, Félix Tshisekedi, sought a second and final five-year term in office. 

Among the 26 other candidates for the presidency, three were considered favorites besides the current president. Katumbi, the wealthiest man and former governor of the Katanga province, the richest province in the country, was one of them. Katumbi had three other candidates who resigned to support and join his camp. Another notable candidate was Martin Fayulu, believed by many observers to have been the rightful winner of the 2018 presidential election. The third prominent candidate was Denis Mukwege, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his work in treating women surviving sexual violence in the DRC. 

All candidates paid $60,000 in non-refundable application fees, a reduction from the previous election when the fee was $100,000.

Difficult Elections 

Elections happened in a tough political situation, especially in Eastern Congo. A state of siege has been in place in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituru for nearly a year, but conflict continues. Rebel groups such as the M23, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), and Codeco continue to carry out attacks against both civilian and military targets. 

As a result, 6.9 million people have been forced to flee their homes, making Congo the country with the highest number of internally displaced people globally, according to the UN. The economic situation is also challenging. The value of the Congolese franc has fallen by 15-20% against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to official figures.

Some candidates questioned the integrity and results before the election. Denis Kadima, the president of the electoral commission, faced accusations of being close to the government. Critics feared his ethnic ties to the president could compromise the result's integrity. Additionally, accusations were made against Tshisekedi, with claims that he placed people from his tribe in crucial election positions, including the constitution court and the security system.

December 2023 was chaotic and lacked credibility. Officially, voting ended on Thursday evening, but according to local sources, voting continued in remote areas of several provinces, violating the Electoral law. According to Article 52 of the law, elections should be held from 6 AM to 5 PM in one day. Beyond that timeframe, the electoral commission should provide boarding passes to remaining voters outside the electoral center. 

Yet, in territories such as Kabambare in Maniema, Manono in Tanganyika, or even in Kinshasa, certain polling stations were only able to open on Thursday morning. Even three days after the timeline set by the law, some were still voting as reported by Radio Okapi. Facing the situation, the archbishop of Kinshasa, Fridolin Ambongo, told reporters after casting his vote, "Solutions need to be found quickly, otherwise the elections are going to go on for several days."

There was a delay in the deployment of materials. The electoral commission did not handle logistics well. Of the 75,000 polling stations, almost one-third did not receive voting kits on time. The National Episcopal Conference of Congo and the Church of Christ in Congo (MOE CENCO-ECC) deployed 25,000 electoral observers all over the country. They observed that 31.37% of polling stations were not open on time while 3.92% of polling stations where voting was disrupted by rain.

Violence was observed at certain polling stations. MOE CENCO-ECC noted 7.84% of offices recorded cases of violence, including 5.88% cases of ransacked polling stations. In the Kasai region, soldiers sought to control the voting machines, as reported by Radio Okapi. Meanwhile, in Ituri Province, some refugees destroyed polling stations and materials as they demanded the opportunity to vote.

International observers in the country maintained a cautious stance in their observations. Among them, the African Union described the elections as having taken place in a relatively calm atmosphere despite significant logistical challenges. However, the American NGO Carter Center highlighted serious irregularities in certain polling stations. It is worth noting that the government refused to accredit the European Union-East African Community observer mission to monitor the elections in the country. Meanwhile, according to MOE CENCO-ECC, observers were denied access in 9,870 polling stations.

Several voting machines were malfunctioning. 45.1% of polling stations had malfunctioning voting machines, and that triggered the interruption of the vote, observed MOE CENCO-ECC. The president of the civil society in the city of Lubumbashi recorded several cases of malfunctioning voting machines. He also pointed out that most polling stations opened from 10 am or 11 am, which is against the electoral law. At various polling stations, he observed that voting machines were turned off for hours due to a lack of energy. 

Participation was low, with many people not voting due to various reasons. Some were discouraged by the time constraints, as they did not want to wait at the polling stations without assurance that they would vote.  At 1% of polling stations, equivalent to 750 stations as documented by MOE CENCO-ECC, voters were prevented from voting. Others did not find their names on the list of voters even if they had enrolled. The electoral commission could not justify this situation, and many were told that the machines containing their information got lost. In some regions, especially in the East, insecurity prevented people from voting.

The electoral campaign faced challenges. In the Kasai Region, many candidates struggled, and some presidential hopefuls couldn't visit. Despite comprising 11% of voters, only the current president campaigned there. Others were denied access by local authorities. A candidate, upon reaching the region, had his car stolen by opposing groups, citing inadequate security. Some candidates chose not to go, fearing for their lives. The Kasai region, the president's origin, faced accusations of intoxication and tribalism to maintain power. In Bas Congo, Katumbi's team was attacked, resulting in two fatalities. Mukwege and Fayulu accused the government of obstructing their airplanes for effective campaigning.

The electoral commission plans to announce temporary results on December 30th. However, election observers anticipate challenges in the post-electoral period, with potential result contests. Candidates like Fayulu and Mukwege have already sought the annulment of the elections, rejected the results and demanded a rerun. Others, including Katumbi, Diongo, Kikuni, Matata, and Sesanga, have echoed similar calls.  In response, Western countries have urged candidates and their supporters to exhibit restraint. Given Congo's history of contested elections turning violent, many Congolese lack confidence in the country’s institutions.

Conclusion 

The conclusion of the 2023 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo marks a crucial moment for the nation—a crossroads where the path to stability and democratic consolidation is uncertain. As the nation anxiously awaits the announcement of temporary results, tension pervades the atmosphere, with several candidates already contesting the validity of the elections. The potential for post-electoral disputes and unrest looms large, given the historical context of contested elections in the country.

Congo finds itself at a critical juncture, where decisions and actions in the aftermath of these elections will profoundly impact its trajectory. The international community, regional partners, and the Congolese people themselves envision a future where transparent, fair, and peaceful elections become the foundation of a stable and prosperous Democratic Republic of Congo. Whether the results are accepted or contested, the journey towards a more democratic and stable nation is fraught with challenges, yet it remains essential for the well-being of the Congolese people and the region at large.