The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has blocked East African Community (EAC) observers from setting foot in the country to observe this years presidential elections.
“This is to notify EAC Partner States, Development Partners and all other Stakeholders that EAC will not physically be present in DRC to observe her 2023 General Elections as provided for in the Treaty Establishing the East African Community and as it has been the practice since the inception of the EAC,” said the EAC Secretariat in a media statement on Monday.
“This development is due to the fact that although EAC was ready, the request to undertake the exercise has not been granted by the relevant authorities,” said the regional bloc, adding, “The EAC wishes the Government and the people of DRC peaceful elections and remains committed to discharge our mandate to all Partner States.”
The DRC will hold general elections on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, for president of the Republic and national and provincial assembly and municipal positions.
The development comes just weeks after Kinshasa refused to renew the mandate of the East African Community Regional Force which was deployed to stabilize the eastern part of the country.
This is the first election since the 2018 elections, when former President Joseph Kabila stepped down and Felix Tshisekedi assumed the presidency, allowing for the first peaceful transition of power in DRC history.
More than 40 million voters in DRC and the diaspora will vote to fill 1,511 seats from a selection of more than 100,000 candidates.
Observers say the 2023 general elections are an opportunity for the DRC to test the stability of its democratic processes.
The election comes against the backdrop of a bloody conflict in North Kivu where government forces have been battling M23 rebels.
Voters will on Wednesday choose their president from 20 candidates who include Tshisekedi and his main challengers Martin Fayulu, former Katanga province governor, Moïse Katumbi and Dr Denis Mukwege.