DR Congo's Katumbi Throws Hat In Ring for 2024 Presidential Poll

On November 20, 2023, Moise Katumbi officially launched his campaign to run in the DR Congo presidential election in 2024, writes Melissa Chemam for Radio France Internationale.

Katumbi, a businessman, is the former governor of Katanga province (2007 to 2015) and a leading opposition figure. He was a member of the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy until 2015. Speaking on the launch of his campaign in Kisangani, Katumbi said: "Today's campaign launch is another step towards a brighter future for this city, and for this country. The needs of the Congolese have been neglected for too long."

DR Congo has been wracked by conflict that has prompted the SADC region to agree on deploying troops to parts of the country to assist the DR Congo army in their fight against armed militants, particularly the M23. Ihe North Kivu region has been hardest hit with close to one million people fleeing the conflict since M23s resurgence.

The Niile Post in Uganda reports that M23 has cast doubt on the upcoming elections. M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa is quoted as saying that organising an election while ignoring areas under the M23's command is senseless. Speaking to the media in Bunagana in DR Congo, Bisimwa said the election served no purpose.

DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi signed the agreement for SADC troop assistance on November 17, 2023. Tshisekedi has also accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 insurgency in DR Congo, an accusation that Rwandan President Paul Kagame denies.