DRC: eight months before the elections, the Sacred Union of Tshisekedi adopts a charter

The tenors of the Sacred Union at the adoption of the charter, April 5, 2023. © RFI / Pascal Mulegwa

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2 min

In the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi formalizes his political machine eight months before the general elections, including the presidential election in which he intends to be a candidate. On Wednesday, April 5 in Kinshasa, the presidential party and all its allies unanimously adopted the founding charter of the Sacred Union of the Nation which now has organs for its management. This coalition includes both former opponents of the regime and allies of presidential ambitions.

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With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa

The room on Wednesday was full of political actors, mostly party leaders including several from Joseph Kabila's former majority who turned their jackets for Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi.

The coalition is under the authority of President Tshisekedi himself. He is assisted by a presidium composed of Jean-Pierre Bemba, Vital Kamerhe, the leader of the ruling party, the President of the National Assembly, his colleague in the Senate and Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde. They were the first to sign the 78-article document.

All have decided to unite behind President Tshisekedi to achieve the objectives of his mandate. And they are subject to several rules, including the prohibition to make statements against the coalition or any act likely to harm Felix Tshisekedi, under penalty of sanctions.

General elections: The political parties that are members of the Sacred Union have pledged to "accept the list of candidates selected" by the coalition. pic.twitter.com/8ChubSNMzK

— Pascal Mulegwa (@pascal_mulegwa) April 5, 2023

Wisdom and sincerity between allies

The leader of the face-to-face party, Augustín Kabuya called for wisdom and sincerity among the allies: "Today, the whole world is watching us. At every moment, when there are small problems between us, let us manage them wisely. Let us make an effort to support each other. There is no saint. When some want to join the sacred union, let us not make speeches: He is so-and-so, etc. No. The head of state needs everyone for the country."

The charter does not designate Tshisekedi as a candidate for the next presidential election, but the text requires all members to support the candidate who will be nominated and ensure him a stable parliamentary majority.

The major challenge for the coalition will be to keep its unity with allies who have not officially renounced their presidential ambitions despite the fact that they have even integrated the government.

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Read on on the same topics:

• DRC
• Félix Tshisekedi
• Elections in the DRC
• Jean-Pierre Bemba