The next presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC) will take place on December 20, 2023, and, like in 2018, could see current President Felix Tshisekedi face Martin Fayulu.
The date announcement, made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) on Saturday, said the eastern part of the country was still gripped by violence from armed groups, including the M23 rebels, who had occupied parts of northern Kivu territory.
“Continued insecurity in parts of the territory” is one of the “challenges” CENI must face in order to hold “free, democratic and transparent elections” on schedule.
Experts also question a process they say is “off to a bad start” and could lead to another contested election.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, presidential elections are single-round elections that combine parliamentary elections with elections for local councils.
On the same matter, CENI has announced that the elected president’s inauguration will take place on January 20, 2024 date.