The ruling coalition is in disarray, opposition adamant in fighting against third term for President Kabila and the international community warning of violations.

Presidential election is announced for November 2016 in the Democratic Republic of Congo but more than a year to the poll, the political climate is already tense characterized by public protests, accusations and counter-accusations and the intervention of the international community. The announced presidential poll will be the culmination of local, regional, legislative and senatorial elections.

The opposition in the country is already on the streets protesting against any possible third presidential term bid for President Joseph Kabila. As at now, he has not made any declaration as to whether he will step down in respect of the Constitution which limits presidents to two five-year mandate. While waiting for Kabila’s formal declaration, the opposition has released a joint  statement expressing their resolve to ensure the constitution was implemented and that recommendations  made at a 2002 inter-Congolese dialogue conference pushing for more democratic institutions in the country were enforced.

The opposition spokesman, Lisanga Bongaga declared that, “The Republic’s opposition reinforces its position not to change the constitution, particularly   in the way public functions have been taken by the President of the Republic, President of the Senate, President of the National Assembly and the general secretary of the presidential majority,” TVC News quotes. Different opposition leaders have organized rallies to stress their opposition for constitutional change to enable President Kabilia stand for the third term come the November 2016 presidential poll.

Divergent views within the coalition of parties of the presidential majority have thrown the movement to shambles.  President Kabila on September 16, 2015 sacked seven senior political figures from the coalition for signing a letter urging him not to cling to power after his term expires in 2016. The seven sacked officials are leaders of a group of political parties called G7 within the coalition.

Not only has the leaders been expelled from the coalition, Planning Minister Olivier Kamitatu, one of the signatories of the letter has also been sacked from his post, Kabila further dismissed Pierre Lumbo, the president of the Social Movement  for  Renewal (MSR),  the second-largest party in Kabila’s ruling coalition from his post as special counselor  to the Chief of State in matters of Security.

The international community with the United Nations Organisation leading, is more concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation and killings in the Democratic Republic of Congo before the elections. The U.N. Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), Reuters reports, citing its Director Jose Maria Aranaz, documented 24 election-related violations in August 2015, including arbitrary arrests and threats, compared with 14 of such incidents in July 2014.  

“This has a negative impact on the credibility of elections… and it confirms a worrying trend,” Jose Maria Aranaz is quoted as saying.  He is further reported as saying that the UNJHRO remains deeply concerned about restrictions on liberty of expression in the country and the security of those who express criticisms of the government and its actions.

In all, the government, opposition and the international community are more concerned about the upcoming elections in key actions they undertake.