In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), several candidates for the presidential election on December 20, 2023 were on site on this second day of campaigning. The opponent and former governor of Katanga, Moïse Katumbi, held his first major meeting in the city center of Kisangani, a city in the northeast of the country.
Published on: November 20, 2023 – 8:34 p.m
2 minutes
With our special correspondent in Kisangani, Pascal Mulegwa
Moïse Katumbi started a procession from Bangoka Airport. It was more than 15 kilometers to the post office, where thousands of residents and supporters were waiting for him.
First, he thanked his fellow candidates Matata Mponyo, Seth Kikuni and Frank Diongo who withdrew in his favorin the last 24 hours, hoping others will follow.
Moïse Katumbi did not hesitate to criticize Tshisekedi’s power, a regime that he said was “marked by broken promises.” For the enemy, the security, economic and social situation has worsened over the last five years. He promised to end insecurity throughout the country with the Congolese army alone and without foreign intervention. He accused Tshisekedi of “recruiting foreign mercenaries instead of increasing military salaries and strengthening the capacity of the army and police.”
Finally, he presented part of his governance project in which he plans “a five-year budget of more than $140 billion with viable projects thanks to the fight against corruption and the diversification of the economy,” he said
In the next steps, the opponent plans to travel to other cities in the northeast to win the vote of the Congolese.
Outgoing President Félix Tshisekedi was in Congo Central in Moanda and Boma. MP Delly Sesanga was still in Kenge, Kwango, while opponent and unsuccessful 2018 candidate Martin Fayulu continued his tour of neighboring Kwilu Province with a stopover in Bagata.
Read also: Democratic Republic of Congo presidential election: Matata Ponyo withdraws in favor of Moïse Katumbi and invites other candidates to emulate him