Members of the ruling majority are tasked with choosing their candidate for the presidency of the National Assembly. A primary election is being held on Tuesday in Kinshasa, marking a first for the country.
Members of the Sacred Union of the Nation will have to decide among three candidates: Christophe Mboso, the outgoing president of the institution; Modeste Bahati, the outgoing president of the Senate; and Vital Kamerhe, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy in the outgoing government.
“The candidates themselves proposed this primary because they couldn’t reach an agreement,” revealed Augustin Kabuya, the general secretary of the ruling party, who issued the summons to the deputies.
“Leaving the decision to the elected officials reveals the indecision and discomfort within the Sacred Union,” noted a political observer.
While all three candidates are members of the USN presidium, their electoral influence varies: Vital Kamerhe and Modeste Bahati each command the support of around thirty deputies, whereas Christophe Mboso’s faction only has about ten.
However, “the vote of the UDPS will be decisive,” according to political analyst Christian Moleka. With around a hundred deputies, the presidential party and its coalition of smaller parties will play a pivotal role.
“One thing is certain,” added Augustin Kabuya, “the name of the presidential candidate will be revealed on Tuesday.” Nevertheless, the candidate must then be elected by the National Assembly before assuming the presidency. Given the overwhelming majority of the ruling coalition in the institution, “it will be merely a formality,” warned one analyst.