Protests have erupted across the Democratic Republic of Congo following the introduction of a bill that seeks to block popular opposition leader Moise Katumbi from contesting the December 20, 2023 élections.
The bill that is dubbed “congolité” (Congolity) was first introduced at the DRC’s National Assembly for examination on July 8, 2021 but was rejected. It has been sneaked back to parliament by the same proponents.
Protests have erupted across the country with the population warning that should the bill pass into law, the country will become ungovernable.
A lawmaker in Likasi says the Tshiani bill has already been examined before and failed the test as it was racist, discriminatory and unconstitutional.
In a letter addressed to the President of the National Assembly on Tuesday March 28, 2023, national deputy Khiller Mubambe wa Lumbulwa, elected from Likasi, in Haut-Katanga, states that the inclusion of this matter this year’s calendar is an attempt to violate the electoral process law n°22-029 of June 29, 2022.
In the interest of unity, national cohesion, consolidation of peace, the country must be saved from this potential chaos.
