The former governor of Katanga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Moïse Katumbi, announced, Friday, December 16 during an interview granted to two French public media (RFI and France 24), his candidacy for the next election. presidential election which is scheduled for December 20, 2023.
The leader of the political party « Together for the Republic » had to leave the Sacred Union, the coalition supporting President Félix Tshisekedi with whom relations have deteriorated over the months. “Guided by the desire to serve the Congolese, I have decided to leave the Sacred Union and present my candidacy for the presidential election,” he said the next day on Twitter.
This wealthy businessman criticized Tshisekedi’s economic and security governance. By wanting to embark on the race for the supreme magistracy, he intends to build a « just State, an exemplary Republic, where everyone can live in security and in dignity, through the fruit of their work ».
He promises, among other things, to « rebuild the army and the security of the country », knowing that the eastern part of the country is still threatened by armed groups, including the M23 movement which has been clashing for several months with the Congolese Armed Forces. (FARDC).
Furthermore Katumbi called for « credible elections ». The question of the elections is one of the points which opposed him to President Tshisekedi. Indeed, the businessman had expressed his disagreement with the members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) validated by the Head of State.
For the former governor, in order to avoid fraud, the polling stations should be besieged on election day, and this « as long as the votes have not yet been counted and the results displayed ».
The leader of “Together for the Republic” will therefore face Tshisekedi, provided that his candidacy is validated. Already, some recall alleged foreign origins. « You will remember that at one point Katumbi appeared in front of an audience of Jewish citizens to say that in this country, the DRC, they do not want me because I am your child », declared a member of the Sacred Union, Thierry Monsenepo.
“It turns out today, according to some information, that he would have an Italian father of Jewish origin and a Zambian mother. This means that there are no ties with regard to nationality in terms of what is described by the Constitution to claim to be a candidate for the presidency of the Republic”, he continued. .
By OMA Newsletter N° 981 of 19/12/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
