DR Congo Roundup: Elections, campaign launch, CENI-Mobile
Candidacy withdrawal
Former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Augustin Matata Ponyo, announced the withdrawal of his presidential candidacy and said he would back a joint opposition candidate following recommendations of four opposition candidates that met in South Africa this week. According to Reuters, Matata Ponyo said he would throw his support behind Moise Katumbi, former governor of the copper-rich Katanga region, who is expected to officially launch his presidential campaign on Monday for the upcoming December 20 election.
EU Electoral Observers
A European Union Electoral Observation Mission delegation engaged in discussions with Denis Kadima, the president of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Kinshasa on November 20. The delegation informed Kadima about the deployment of electoral observers throughout all provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Malin also mentioned the forthcoming arrival of a delegation of seven European deputies in Kinshasa, along with electoral and political experts, media personnel, and support from the diplomatic corps and European embassies, local media Radio Okapi reported.
Katumbi campaign message
Presidential candidate Moïse Katumbi, represented by his team led by Christian Mwando, revealed his five-year program for 2024-2028 on November 13, in Kinshasa. "Alternative 2024 for a united, democratic, prosperous, and united Congo," the social project outlines the goal of systematically reconstructing a robust, trustworthy, and stable Congolese state. It includes 36 specific objectives and 291 actions, the most urgent of which are in the security sector, local media La Prospérité reported
CENI-Mobile
The president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has announced the upcoming launch of the "CENI-Mobile" application through a recently released public message. Reports from local media La Prospérité say that the application's purpose is to enable voters to verify the inclusion of their names in the electoral register, identify their polling station from the convenience of their homes, and ensure everyone's legitimate right to vote is respected.
Campaign launch
Presidential candidates have commenced their electoral campaigns ahead of the December 20 elections. On November 19, candidates launched their from various cities, outlining their social projects through trips and meetings. These candidates include Felix Tshisekedi, the incumbent President and candidate for re-election, Moïse Katumbi, Martin Fayulu, Delly Sesanga, Seth Kikuni, and Jean-Claude Baende, local media Radio Okapi reported.
