DR Congo election: Sadc proposes unity government
By: Iselin Brady
In December, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had a presidential election where candidate Felix
Tshisekedi was announced the winner. The current president, Joseph Kabila, has been in power for 18
years, making any opposition win extremely significant. Issues arose, however, when another candidate,
Martin Fayulu, declared that he should have won and accused Tshisekedi of making a deal with Kabila to
rig the election results. Fayulu has already filed an appeal in the Constitutional Court and has requested a
recount. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is an intergovernmental
organization, has supported Fayulu’s desire for a manual recount. In addition, they called for a negotiated
political settlement and a government of national unity, saying similar deals have worked in other African
countries. Their reasoning is that a unity government would bring about more peace to the nation. Critics
have argued that such a compromise would diminish democracy and that the true winner of the election
should be inaugurated. Within the next week, the Court is expected to give their decision.
Tshisekedi was announced the winner. The current president, Joseph Kabila, has been in power for 18
years, making any opposition win extremely significant. Issues arose, however, when another candidate,
Martin Fayulu, declared that he should have won and accused Tshisekedi of making a deal with Kabila to
rig the election results. Fayulu has already filed an appeal in the Constitutional Court and has requested a
recount. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is an intergovernmental
organization, has supported Fayulu’s desire for a manual recount. In addition, they called for a negotiated
political settlement and a government of national unity, saying similar deals have worked in other African
countries. Their reasoning is that a unity government would bring about more peace to the nation. Critics
have argued that such a compromise would diminish democracy and that the true winner of the election
should be inaugurated. Within the next week, the Court is expected to give their decision.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46856660
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