Kinshasa, September 28th, 2021 (CPA) – The President of DRC, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, confirmed the holding of the elections in 2023 thus removing the ambiguity around this question, in an interview he gave last Friday , to VOA Africa journalist Marius Muhunga, on the sidelines of the holding in New York, United States of America, of the 76th edition of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Head of State, who insists on respecting the prescriptions of the Constitution, called on all parties involved in respecting the electoral process.
When asked about the delay in appointing the president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), the Head of State passed the buck to religious denominations before reminding them of their responsibility.
“This is not a political affair, I repeat again, it is a religious affair. So, it’s none of my business … ”, said Felix Tshisekedi.
In this regard, the Head of State called on the heads of religious denominations to agree on the appointment of the president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), the materialization of which would be a major step towards holding elections in 2023.
While noting that he is already considering other avenues to settle the situation, the Head of State said that the instructions were given to the President of the National Assembly in view of his status as guarantor of the proper functioning of DRC institutions.
“This is an opportunity for me to appeal to religious denominations to get in order. Because the politicians are us. Why is it getting stuck? The politicians are ready « , he said, adding: » during my last stay in Lubumbashi, before coming to New York, I received the president of the National Assembly and I gave him the instructions clear. If it continues to get stuck in religious concessions, ask the National Assembly. It will define the way forward. If it rejects, we will start the process again ”.
The Head of State also pledged to take responsibility when the time comes.
“I appeal to everyone’s common sense. We have an electoral process to respect, the elections to be organized on time. Let everyone take their responsibilities. I will take mine when the time comes. At the moment there is nothing I can do. This is a debate within religious denominations. «
CENCO and ECC, for their part, disagreeing with the heads of six other religious denominations that make up the platform, had unsuccessfully requested an audience to meet the President of the Republic.
The Head of State does not want to interfere in this process for fear that he will be labeled a partisan.
« I met CENCO and ECC, but I refused their invitation, you imagine you are six against two, what position can I take in this? … It is not a case political, I repeat it again, it is a religious affair, therefore it is not my business, before that one wrongly quoted the adviser around me who would have threatened or influenced, I did not see anything of the like, I don’t prefer to get wet in these things”, he said.
Head of State refutes « Congolity » law
The Head of State refuted the Congolese nationality law initiated by Noel Tshiani and endorsed by the national elected Nsingi Pululu.
« Even the most recent history of our country shows us that there were Congolese of father and mother who participated in the ruin of our country », remarked President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi.
However, the Head of State has made it known that Tshiani is Congolese and he has the right to propose this law.
For Felix Antoine Tshisekedi, this is also democracy and the rule of law. “We cannot prevent an entire nation from being able to reflect within legislative institutions,” he said.
President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi therefore recognizes that all Congolese express themselves and make their proposals for the smooth running of the country.
“Tshiani is a Congolese who has the right to think and say what is good for his country according to him. It’s his right. We are not going to put Tshiani on trial because we want democracy, for everyone to express themselves. I am only making a statement. I will not give my opinion, I do not want to get into this controversy that this bill has sparked. Is being a Congolese father and mother enough as a criterion to serve one’s country in a loyal and faithful manner? I don’t think so”, he stressed.
The state of siege maintained until the total restoration of peace
On another issue as sensitive as the state of siege in force in the provinces of Ituri and Nord Kivu, the President wanted to be uncompromising: « The state of siege will not be lifted until the circumstances which will have motivated him will disappear ”, he insisted.
To this end, the Head of State Felix Tshisekedi requested national and international solidarity while underlining the bravery of the Armed Forces of DRC (FARDC) in restoring peace.
He thus requested the support of the Congolese people to lead this fight against terrorism together, before reiterating his firm commitment to definitively annihilating the Islamic terrorist forces (ADF) which are sowing desolation in the north-eastern part of DRC.
To this end, he announced the strengthening of the state of siege until peace was fully restored. ACP/