In a shocking turn of events, Cherubin Okende, a prominent spokesman for one of Democratic Republic of Congo’s main opposition parties, was fatally shot on Thursday. The government has confirmed the incident, which has heightened tensions in the country as national elections loom in December.
Disturbing footage circulating on social media purportedly shows Okende’s lifeless body, riddled with bullet wounds, slumped inside his vehicle. His political party, Ensemble pour la Republique, claimed that he was kidnapped from the parking lot of the Constitutional Court in the capital city of Kinshasa.
According to a source close to Okende, the politician had recently delivered a response to a court summons and was on his way when the tragedy occurred. The government’s spokesman, Patrick Muyaya, took to Twitter, describing the incident as an assassination and expressing his shock.
Okende had resigned from the government in December after the leader of Ensemble party, Moise Katumbi, departed from the ruling coalition and declared his intention to challenge President Felix Tshisekedi in the upcoming elections.
The lead-up to the vote has been marked by escalating tensions, with the arrest of Salomon Kalonda, an adviser to Katumbi, who was charged with undermining state security in connection with a violent opposition march. Kalonda, denying the charges, stands accused of possessing a firearm during the event.
News of Okende’s tragic death triggered small-scale protests against the government in Kinshasa. Demonstrators took to the streets, burning tires, and condemning the act as an assassination.
In response to the incident, Katumbi called for an independent investigation into what he described as an “odious crime.” President Tshisekedi, on the other hand, urged the judiciary to shed light on the case and extended his condolences to Okende’s family.
Condemnations have poured in from various quarters, with the European Union ambassador to Congo and the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in the country also expressing their dismay over the murder.
Looking at the wider context, tensions and concerns around the upcoming elections have been building up in the vast and volatile Democratic Republic of Congo. Previous electoral cycles have witnessed violence, leading to the loss of numerous lives. These elections are no exception and have already drawn criticism from observers.
The last presidential election in 2018 marked a significant milestone as it facilitated the first peaceful transfer of power in Kinshasa since the country gained independence from Belgium in 1960. However, the credibility of that election was questioned due to allegations of irregularities, casting doubt on the European Union’s assessment of its legitimacy.
Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi, who assumed office following the 2018 election, has declared his intention to run for a second term in the scheduled late 2023 poll. Yet, concerns of potential tampering with the electoral process have arisen, intensifying pressures within political circles in the capital city.
With only five months remaining until the elections, the campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo is shaping up to be highly contentious. The opposition is vehemently challenging a regime determined to cling to power, all amidst a backdrop of conflicts in the east and a growing social crisis.
The country, with a population of approximately 100 million, is set to conduct a single-round presidential election on December 20. Alongside the presidential race, elections for national and provincial deputies, as well as local councilors, are also scheduled. President Tshisekedi’s bid for a second term is expected to face significant opposition.
Given the previous experience of delayed elections, which were postponed for two years, some Congolese citizens remain skeptical about the timely organization of the upcoming vote. They fear a repeat of what they term a “landslide.” Nonetheless, the authorities assure the public that the elections will occur “within the constitutional timeframe,” and the National Electoral Commission (CENI) has so far adhered to its schedule.
CENI has successfully registered voters and issued them with identification cards. This process allowed for an overhaul of the electoral register, which underwent an “external audit” and formed the basis for the law on seat distribution, promptly passed by Parliament and enacted on June 15.
Elections in Africa often involve violence, leading to the well-known saying, “Politics in Africa is not for the weak.” Nigeria’s 2023 elections, for instance, were marred by violence, resulting in numerous fatalities.
Such incidents highlight the pressing question: When will Africa break free from the cycle of election-related violence?
