Two opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo who refused to back businessman Martin Fayulu for next month’s elections have formed a new alliance.
Felix Tshisekedi and Vital Kamerhe have now joined forces to run on a single ticket for the Presidential election on December 23.
Tshisekedi, 55 from Congo’s largest opposition party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) will be supported by Kamerhe.
Details of the alliance
The reward for Kamerhe supporting Tshisekedi in the presidential race will be to be appointed as prime minister if Tshisekedi wins the vote.
Tshisekedei will also in return back a candidate from Kamerhe’s Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC) party in the 2023 presidential election.
The agreement was signed in Kenya by both leaders. Kamerhe said at a joint news conference with Tshisekedi that “I decide today to support Mr. Tshisekedi as the president of Congo. This is the winning ticket.”
Official campaigning begins
Candidates hoping for victory in the upcoming elections have already launched their campaigns.
These campaigns were launched on Thursday as the country gears up for an election considered very crucial.
It could be the first time DR Congo will witness a peaceful transfer of power through an election.
The ruling party of President Joseph Kabila has picked former interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary for the presidential race.
No Kabila
The DR Congo will be going to the polls in December without incumbent President, Joseph Kabila whose tenure has already ended.
President Kabila’s second term officially ended in 2016 but he refused to stepdown sparking violence and delayed elections.
Kabila’s inability to run again could ease tension a little in the Central African country. Joseph Kabila took over as president from his father Laurent who was assassinated in 2001.
DR Congo: Opposition parties pick joint presidential candidate
Source: Africafeeds.com
