M23 President Bisimwa Questions Legitimacy of DRC Elections Amidst Ongoing Conflict

DRC – The President of the M23 movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Bertrand Bisimwa, has casted doubt on the credibility of the upcoming elections amidst the ongoing conflict between the government and M23 rebels.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the DRC declared in November 2022 that presidential and parliamentary elections would take place on December 20, 2023, with a budget exceeding $600 million. At the time of the announcement, more than $450 million had already been allocated. However, electoral challenges are not new in the DRC, with the previous presidential poll, marking its initial democratic transition, being delayed by two years until finally occurring in December 2018. In that election, President Felix Tshisekedi succeeded his longstanding predecessor Joseph Kabila.

Twenty-four candidates, including President Tshisekedi, are vying for the position, adhering to Congolese law that limits presidents to two terms. Noteworthy contenders include Nobel Prize-winning gynecologist Denis Mukwege, running for the first time, and Martin Fayulu, who contested the 2018 election results in court after finishing second to Tshisekedi.

Despite significant investments in one of the United Nations’ largest peacekeeping forces, over 120 armed groups, including the M23 rebels, persist in operating in the east. The DRC has consistently accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim denied by Kigali, despite evidence suggested by a panel of UN experts.

In a press briefing at Bunagana, Bisimwa criticized the upcoming election, contending that organizing an election while disregarding areas still under M23 occupation is illogical.

CUE IN BISIMWA…..ON ELECTIONS…….ENG//

During today’s press conference, Bisimwa, accompanied by other M23 leaders, accused the DRC government of violating the February 2023 peace deal, which proposed a ceasefire from both parties.

CUE IN BISIMWA…..ON CURRENT POSITION…..ENG//

The M23 spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, also decried the international community’s silence regarding alleged acts of ethnic cleansing by the Kinshasa government against its population. They pointed to the bombing of towns heavily populated by civilians and the malicious destruction of public and private infrastructure as acts of impunity.

CUE IN KANYUKA……ON INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY……ENG//

Bisimwa urged Congolese citizens seeking refuge in Uganda to return home if they are from currently peaceful areas. Since March 2022, over 520,000 people have been displaced due to the M23 movement’s resurgence in North Kivu.

CUE IN BISIMWA…..ON REFUGEES……ENG//