Democracy At work - A Milestone Gathering in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Forum of Congolese Intellectuals Abroad
The 26 candidates contesting for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the December 20th election.
14 November 2023
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Forum of Congolese Intellectuals Abroad
By Marie-Stella Mbala Heiser

In a significant development for Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) experienced a historic moment as 26 candidates came together for a collective briefing on the preparations for the upcoming election on December 20th, 2023, led by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).

The presence of all 26 candidates in the same room stands as a testament to CENI's unwavering commitment to fostering a true democratic, free, and fair elections. Despite all the challenges, the CENI congratulated all candidates for fulfilling all the requirements qualifying them to run in this upcoming election.

A participant in the event beamed that this initiative exemplifies democracy in action. Under the leadership of Felix Tshisekedi, the DRC is dedicated to advancing true democracy, a principle cherished by established Western democracies, aiming for an unblemished electoral procedure.

In a continent that has experienced six recent coups d'états, the image of the incumbent president shaking hands with 26 opposition leaders, engaging in open discussions to ensure a fair electoral process, strongly signals that the DRC is paving a way as a positive example for others to follow globally. This moment also contributes to the overall effort to foster a democratic and stable political landscape.

RELATED: Statement from CENI (Independent National Electoral Commission) [French]

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