Published on: 31/12/2022 – 07:57
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, opponent Martin Fayulu is taking on the regime of Félix Tshisekedi, whom he accuses of having prepared fraud a year before the parliamentary elections scheduled for December 20, 2023. Faced with this serious charge, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the presidential party, reacted.
In his message to the nation yesterday Friday, Martin Fayulu instead accused the regime of throwing the country into chaos and called for massive recruitment “to regain the power of the people and thus thwart the conspiracy” of possible fraud. Corruption, clientelism, humanitarian crisis, violence in East and West… for Martin Fayulu, the ills currently gnawing at Congo-Kinshasa are the result of the disputed 2018 elections.
“As we enter 2023, an election year par excellence, it is clear that there is still no consensus on the rules of the game among key stakeholders, who have made a determined choice to enforce them. Everyone is witness to the widespread disorder, preparation, and organized chaos that surrounds recruiting operations.
However, let everyone be clear: we will not compromise on the quality, integrity and credibility of the 2023 elections. CENI is therefore obliged to organize transparent elections at all costs. The mandates usurped in 2019 must end on January 23, 2024 for the presidential elections and on February 11, 2024 for the state representation.
► Also Read: In DRC, Mukwege, Fayulu and Matata sue Félix Tshisekedi and his government
The Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the presidential party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reacted after the serious charges against opponent Martin Fayulu. Does he live on this planet? wonders Deo Bizibu, deputy general secretary of the UDPS, at the microphone of our correspondent, Pascal Mulegwa.
“Mr Fayulu didn’t understand that things have changed, he doesn’t realize that we are now at 16 billion where Félix Antoine Tshisekedi had found Congo with a budget of 4 billion. We are now at 600,000 mechanized and paid teachers. He doesn’t recognize that and where Mr. Kabange left the army [Joseph Kabila Kabange, ancien président]we have developed enough today.
I would briefly say that it is someone who is on another planet! He is a gentleman who has denied everything for a very long time. We find that Mr. Fayulu is simply afraid to go to the polls. He starts making excuses for us. No offense, we tell him he just needs to get ready for the elections. With shifts he had probably expected that one could go to negotiations. There won’t be.
► Also to listen: postponement of the 2024 elections? Opponent Martin Fayulu doesn’t say no, but…
We see that Congo has made a leap forward with Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. We have been working with the head of state for a very long time: we not only want him to be reappointed, but also that he has a majority so that he can lead this country…”