The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s opposition has voiced concern over President Felix Tshisekedi’s effort to delay the general elections scheduled for December 2023 due to the ongoing insecurity in the east.
According to opposition leader Moise Katumbi’s spokesperson Cherubin Okende, the situation in the east of the nation should not provide an excuse for the president to postpone the elections.
Mr. Okende reminded Mr. Tshisekedi of the commitment he made to locate the army’s headquarters in the east early in his administration to deal with armed groups effectively.
He added that four years later, the regime is still unable to bring peace to this region of the nation.
According to article 70 of the constitution, the president is chosen for a five-year term.
The two opposition politicians were responding to Mr. Tshisekedi’s assertion that the unrest in the east would cause the elections to be postponed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
However, critics think that the ruling coalition may postpone the elections to claim a variety of obstacles as an excuse.