Dr Peter Sakwe Masumbe, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and International Relations, University of Buea, discusses the stakes of the forthcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
How do you appreciate the tense political climate in the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of the 2016 presidential election?
These elections portend great stakes, intertwined into undue conflict of interests amongst Congolese, majority of who apparently seek change at the supra-summit of state power in DRC. So, if selflessness and patriotism do not becloud and suppress the usual egoistic tendencies for self-seeking prowess towards State and political power intrinsic in African politics, there will be internecine bloodshed in that country come 2016 and even beyond. Note that, in January, 2015, protests erupted killing at least 42 people and forcing lawmakers to drop an electoral reform bill that the opposition said was aimed at keeping incumbent President Joseph Kabila in power.
Second, as late as Monday, 14th September, 2015, leading opposition political parties in the DRC’s ruling coalition had vehemently asked President Joseph Kabila to desist from contemplating being a candidate for the upcoming presidential election. They sent this warning, because, according to them, “the actions orchestrated by President Kabila’s allies give the impression that Kabila is scheming to be a candidate for the election.” Doing so, they opine, “…will be a gross violation of the constitution.”
And this would be translated to mean what they call, “hanging unto power beyond 2016.” And to stem this move, the head of the so-called G7 political parties has not only demanded immediate steps to ensure that the election is held as scheduled, even with the hanging orders of the constitutional court, but he is massively galvanizing and mobilizing the population against any move by President Kabila to violate the constitution.
How do you think events surrounding elections in other African countries impact on the atmosphere in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
It is perhaps difficult if not even unnecessary to draw analogies of events in African politics due to the inherent Africans’ inconsistencies, which are usually prodded not by any politico-economic wisdom but by the demeaning politics of the belly. Imagine that when the Arab Spring erupted in North Africa and Middle East, the tendency for political scientists and even the layman was to insinuate that, there will be contagious or spill-over effects into other African countries.
But this has not been exactly the case. You should consider the practice of politics in Africa on case by case basis, not on any generalization; unlike in most civilized societies. Also note that in African politics, the most invaluable thing which leaders are apt to do is to acquire the capacity to maneuver political power and its recipients or beneficiaries thereof, so as to keep themselves at relative political ease and continuity.
Given this, the events in other African countries, may not in any way influence the atmosphere in the DRC. Just as the events in the DRC might not have any serious repercussions on the political life in any other African country. Imagine for instance that, events in Burundi do not impact events in DRC. After-all, even with all the hullaballoo in Burundi over Nkuruziza’s third term, he has been re-elected freely and fairly or not. Those are the trends in African politics. Political and state power does not emanate from the peoples’ sovereign wisdom but from the might of the beholders of such power.
What should be done to avoid bloodshed and to guarantee peaceful and transparent elections?
Listen, the burning issue revolves on the alleged filibustering of President Kabila’s hidden agenda and maneuvers to stand as a candidate. And this is the pill that many Congolese do not want to swallow. Thus, forcing this pill down the throat of Congolese might tear DRC into pieces if the acquisition of a viable degree of political discipline fails to emerge amongst politicians in DRC.
But from the look of events therein, this pill might certainly been pushed with force, because, the last extraordinary session of parliament and the judgment of the constitutional court have already created the parameters for the foisting of the pill and eventual conflict. With the actions demonstrated by parliamentary and constitutional court, the additional worry is that, there might not be free and fair elections in the DRC. In fact, an overwhelming majority of Congolese believe that, there are undeclared motives by President Kabila to not to respect the constitution of the DRC.
So, if DRC politicians assume considerable degree of patriotism and eschew bitterness towards the highest political office, there might be relative peace in the DRC. But anything short of this sort of statesmanlike political behaviour would plunge the DRC into the dark tunnel of political and economic chaos. I think with the foregoing, you can appreciate the gunpowder and time-bomb in the politics of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
