DRC Presidential Elections Approach

Around 40 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are preparing to cast their ballots in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

The elections will take place next Wednesday, 20 December, as the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa attempts to unify itself under one leader from 22 candidates. Currently, there are only two women in the race: Marie-Josée Ifoku Mputa and Joëlle Bile.

Félix Tshisekedi, who is the current president of the DRC, is seeking to be elected for a second and final term which will last for five years. Tshisekedi has faced significant criticism from some of his opponents for failing to prevent attacks from the armed M23 group, the Allied Democratic Forces and Codeco, which have been terrorising the country.

Tshisekedi’s main opposition is Moïse Katumbi, who has promised to “liberate” the country by providing more jobs, which the youth demographic desperately needs.

At the moment, two-thirds of the population lives below the poverty line, with factors like inflation and a cost-of-living crisis contributing to harsh living conditions. According to reports, many people in the country are earning $2.15 a day or less.

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