In the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi is formalizing his political machine eight months before the general elections, including the presidential one in which he intends to be a candidate. On Wednesday April 5 in Kinshasa, the presidential party and all its allies unanimously adopted the founding charter of the Sacred Union of the Nation, which now has organs for its management. This coalition includes both former opponents of the regime and allies with presidential ambitions.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa
The room, this Wednesday, was full of political actors, mostly party leaders, including several from the former majority of Joseph Kabila who turned their jackets to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi.
The coalition is placed under the authority of President Tshisekedi himself. He is assisted by a presidium composed of Jean Pierre BembaVital Kamerhe, the leader of the ruling party, the president of the National Assembly, his colleague from the Senate as well as the Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde. They were the first to sign the 78-article document.
All have decided to unite behind President Tshisekedi to achieve the objectives of his mandate. And they are subject to several rules, in particular the ban on making statements against the coalition or any act likely to harm Felix Tshisekedi, under penalty of sanctions.
General elections: The political parties members of the Sacred Union have pledged to “accept the list of candidates selected” by the coalition. pic.twitter.com/8ChubSNMzK
—Pascal Mulegwa (@pascal_mulegwa) April 5, 2023
Wisdom and sincerity between allies
The leader of the present party, Augustín Kabuya called for wisdom and sincerity between the allies: “ Today, the whole world is watching us. At each moment, when there are small problems between us, let us manage them wisely. Let’s make an effort to support each other. There is no saint. When some people want to join the sacred union, let’s not talk: He is so and so, etc. No. The Head of State needs everyone for the country “.
The charter does not designate Tshisekedi as a candidate for the next presidential election, but the text requires all members to support the candidate who will be nominated and to ensure him a stable parliamentary majority.
The major challenge for the coalition will be to maintain its unity with allies who have not officially given up their presidential ambitions despite having even joined the government.