DRC: in Bukavu, pro-Moïse Katumbi criticize a proposed law on the presidential election

An aerial view of Bukavu, in 2017 (illustration image). © WikiCommons/EMMANRMS

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

In Bukavu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), supporters of Moïse Katumbi, declared candidate for the 2023 presidential election, criticized the so-called Tshiani bill on March 29, during a meeting. It demands that any candidate for this election scheduled for December 20 be "100% Congolese father and mother".

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With our correspondent in Bukavu, William Basimike

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), supporters of opposition leader Moïse Katumbi in South Kivu province denounced maneuvers that they said were aimed at removing their declared candidate from the presidential race.

In a meeting in Bukavu on Wednesday (March 29th), several hundred members of the political party Together for the Republic castigated the bill, known as Tshiani, which requires a presidential candidate to be "100% Congolese father and mother".

« We love Moïse Katumbi and we expect him to be a candidate."

All standing in the mud after the rain at the municipal field in the Panzi district, the members of Together for the Republic came to express their anger. Dorcas Mulonda carries the effigy of Katumbi on his shoulder: "We love Moïse Katumbi and we are waiting for him to be a candidate. This Tshiani bill, which they want in our country, we don't want. We are all Congolese. We must not struggle to get our children to study and when they want to apply for responsibilities in their country you come forward with your legislative reforms.

► Read also: DRC: Together for the Republic, Moïse Katumbi, denounces a deleterious political climate

Initiated by the unsuccessful 2018 presidential candidate, Noël Tshiani, the proposal on Congolese nationality was endorsed by national deputy Nsingi Pululu which he tabled at the office of the National Assembly.

For supporters of Moïse Katumbi, this law has only one objective: to prevent their leader from running. Anselme Djungu is the leader of this party in Mwenga territory. He made the trip to Bukavu to pass the message to the national deputies: "Let them know one thing: that they are an emanation of the population. And the people of South Kivu say no to this law to eliminate certain people including President Moïse Katumbi in the 2023 presidential election. This is a story that will divide the Congolese people and it will not really move us forward in democracy.

In any case, for the moment, the activists gathered in Bukavu intend to mobilize around their leader.

► Read also: Guest Africa - DRC: Moïse Katumbi candidate for the presidential election of December 2023

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• DRC
• Elections in the DRC
• Moïse Katumbi