Moise Katumbi, the opposition leader and millionaire businessman, officially kicked off his campaign for the presidency in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a rally in Kisangani. The launch comes one month ahead of the scheduled election, and Katumbi, aged 58, has outlined promises to combat corruption, generate employment, and revitalise the country’s struggling economy.
In his address to the rally, Katumbi criticised the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi, particularly focusing on the administration’s handling of the volatile eastern region, where the military has been engaged in conflicts with M23 rebels and other armed groups. Katumbi accused President Tshisekedi of hiring foreign mercenaries instead of addressing the salary concerns of the military and police forces.
“The current government has promised you a lot. I’m telling you that these stories will never be repeated. I’m telling you that we’re going to improve the conditions of our soldiers who must defend our country, and we’re going to drive out all these forces that are in our country,” declared Katumbi at the rally.
Youth attending the Kisangani rally expressed eagerness for change, expressing dissatisfaction with the current government’s promises related to security, employment, and infrastructure development.
Katumbi’s campaign launch follows the initiation of campaigns by his main competitors, President Felix Tshisekedi, and opposition figure Martin Fayulu. In the 2018 election, Katumbi faced obstacles as the government, led by then-President Joseph Kabila, cancelled his Congolese passport while he was outside the country. This prevented him from participating in the election.
While questions regarding Katumbi’s eligibility have been raised, with critics alleging that his father was not a Congolese citizen, a top court recently dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block his candidacy. Several other opposition candidates have withdrawn from the race and pledged their support to Katumbi. The DRC’s presidential election is scheduled for December 20, 2023.