The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Félix Tshisekedi, who is seeking a second term on December 20, 2013, delivered a final meeting 48 hours before the general elections in the DRC. A large rally in Kinshasa, closing a tense campaign. Reporting.
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From our special correspondent in Kinshasa,
“ There are plenty of us to support the President of the Republic Fatshi Béton who will be received 20/20! We want to give him a second term! » Tubi, a 52-year-old teacher, came this December 18 to attend the last campaign meeting of Félix Tshisekedi, who is seeking his own succession at the head of the DRC, on Wednesday December 20, 2023. Cap on the head of “candidate number 20” – the one attributed to Tshisekedi – Tubi continues: “ There is no other conqueror. He is the best candidate. We trust him. He built roads, solved many problems. He has invested in many territories. »
“ This campaign is the very expression of the maturity of the Congolese people »
A little further on, Boniface, activist for the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the party which supports the head of state, insists: “ I assure you that all these people who came, it was without the slightest penny being distributed as is done in other headquarters. » This 55-year-old agricultural engineer says: “ This campaign is the very expression of the maturity of the Congolese people. She is demonstrating to the world that these people are recovering from a situation that no one could imagine. »
Thousands of people are crowding this Monday afternoon around the Sainte-Thérèse field, located in district 6, a residential area of the Congolese capital, wearing t-shirts or shirts in the colors of the man who was elected in 2018. Some parade in groups on motorcycles or on the back of large jeeps. Others, like Thérèse, a 30-year-old nurse, simply came to attend this large gathering out of curiosity. “ I don’t know yet who I’m going to vote forshe slips, discreetly. I came to see what he has say “.
Education, currency and war in the east, at the heart of the discourse
It was shortly after 4 p.m., after a series of shows and while a fine intermittent rain had stopped, that the president appeared for a speech in Lingala. On a large platform, for a good half hour, there was talk of generalizing free education, of fighting against the depreciation of the Congolese franc against the American dollar (currency widely used in the country). But it is above all its attacks against the M23, a rebellion raging in the east of the country, and the support that Rwanda is accused by the DRC and United Nations experts of providing to this movement, which electrifies the crowd. Félix Tshisekedi promises that he will respond to any provocation, including war. He finally calls on voters to vote for a Congolese and to obstruct the foreign candidate, without naming one of his 18 rivals in the ballot.
“ The atmosphere is great. He is truly the people’s president, launches Tamaris, UDPS activist. He will be elected at 75% “. “ It will be 95%! » adds Alexis, a 50-year-old electrician, who expects a massive vote on Wednesday.
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