Kinshasa, July 1fst, 2021 (CPA).– The President of the Republic, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo said he was in favor of a second term at the head of DRC, which will allow him to realize his vision in line with the expectations of the population, during an interview he gave on Tuesday to an international channel, in Goma where he has been staying since June 12th, 2021.
« I have the right to serve two terms, why would I stop on the way? I have a vision for this country, I want to make it happen. If the people will grant me this second term, I will continue my mission. And after, I will pass the hand”, he reassured.
He welcomed the progress made by the Republic since he came to power, stressing, moreover, that there is still a long way to go, particularly in the area of corruption.
For the Head of State, corruption in our country has been almost a way of life or second nature for decades. Ending such a deeply rooted scourge cannot be done in two and a half years or even in one term, he said.
Regarding the elections supposed to be held in 2023, he said he is for « the most transparent elections possible ». However, he added, the delay in appointing members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has nothing to do with him.
To this end, he recalled that he had asked the various actors, including the Church, for avenues of reflection to carry out the reform of CENI.
“What I can guarantee you is that I want the most transparent elections possible and that we will solve the problems of CENI. But it is its members who will tell us whether the deadlines can be met or not. If they are respected, so much the better. If they are not, everyone will see it and agree on the continuation ”, he maintained, adding:“ It has been more than thirty years since my party, the Union for Democracy and the social progress (UDPS), fights for the establishment of the rule of law and for free and transparent elections. This is not to spit today on the memory of all those who fought in this direction, sometimes at the cost of their lives « .
The Sacred Union is a union of good intentions
To a question on the strategy of the Sacred Union of the Nation, President Felix Tshisekedi clarified that it is not a new political formation or a new platform, but rather a union of good intentions, which, according to him, can explain the heterogeneity of its components.
« I invited the political class to join me in this union on the basis of the principles that I defend: the security of the populations, especially in the East; improving the daily life of the Congolese; the fight against corruption and others. The Sacred Union was created to allow us to carry out the expected reforms until the end of my mandate”, he said.
For the rest, he continued, they will advise at the time of the elections (scheduled for 2023).
“It’s only then that we will discuss possible coalitions, along with each other’s agendas and ambitions. Today is the time for action, not the time for political calculations », said the President of the Republic.
While asserting that within this Sacred Union there are inevitably future adversaries in the next election, he argued that this is democracy.
« This is democracy and it doesn’t bother me at all, at least as long as the rules are followed and we are dedicated to our mission. One of the reasons that pushed us to break with FCC is precisely the fact that their objective was to make me fail to be able to place one of theirs in 2023. Similar logic, based on the sole defense of small personal interests to the detriment of those of the population, could only be sanctioned. I will never accept that DRC is once again taken hostage by its politicians”, he said.
There is no disagreement between Vital Kamerhe and me
Regarding the conviction of his first ally and former chief of staff, Vital Kamerhe, the Head of State said there is no shadow of a discord between them.
“There is no shadow of a discord between Vital and me. I haven’t done any math and haven’t manipulated anyone to get him to where he is today. If anyone can attest to my sincerity, it’s him. The criticism that I can accept, at a pinch, from some of his supporters is that he did not intervene to prevent the justice system from doing its job. But this goes against my principles, since I am for free and independent justice », he said.
The Head of State said he is convinced that Vital Kamerhe will call to order those who say in particular that he has become his political opponent.
“Vital and I, but also our loved ones, formed a united family. Some irresponsible within his party are playing with fire, I deplore him, I know that he will not let this situation prosper for long and that he will call him to order so that our coalition survives the test of his condemnation“, he said.
Joseph Kabila is not my enemy
Speaking of the end of the coalition which linked his platform Cap for the change (CACH) to that of his predecessor Joseph Kabila, Common Front for Congo (FCC), the Head of State indicated that there was between them too great a divergence of views, quite simply, but Joseph Kabila is not his enemy.
“We even recently called each other for our respective birthdays: we were both born in June, he on the 4th and I on the 13th. But, as in a couple, when we are no longer in agreement on the principles that have founded a union, we have to separate, that’s all”, he said.
The Head of State clarified that he disagreed with him on several subjects that he considers fundamental, such as the independence of the judiciary or transparency in the management of state affairs.
« When I noticed that the acts I was taking to reform the judiciary, one of the pillars of the rule of law, were the subject of all possible maneuvers and that some were seeking to ruin our efforts, I understood that we had nothing in common. Everything we said to each other at the start, to defend the same program and the same vision, was in the end only window dressing”, he said.
Call for partners to provide vaccines
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Head of State asked the partners to make more efforts to provide DRC with vaccines but also so that they can be produced on African soil.
“There are reasons to be concerned today when we look at the third wave and its virulence. We have not even vaccinated 10% of our population and we need more doses », he lamented.
While indicating that the pandemic is having a negative impact on the Congolese economy, he said that this disease has confused the Congolese authorities, forcing them urgently to review the allocation of resources and priorities.
The Head of State, however, thanked the international financial institutions as well as President Emmanuel Macron for the facilities they have granted.
« It was a real breath of fresh air that allowed us to cope« , he admitted. ACP/