Story by Oleen Ndori, Foreign Desk Editor
As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) goes to polls on Wednesday, incumbent President Dr Felix Tshisekedi has pledged to protect people in the eastern region from recurrent insurgencies while pushing for sustained economic growth.
A day before the vast southern African nation holds elections, campaign rallies have ended and it’s all systems go for eligible voters to cast their ballots.
While engaging party supporters at the last rally in Kinshasa this Monday, Dr Tshisekedi promised to bring insurgency in the East to an end as pressure mounts between Kinshasa and Kigali.
DRC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba weighed in saying an end to conflict in the East will ensure national development.
He also applauded regional support to bring about peace.
“The situation in the East is bad but I am grateful for the support SADC has given and this gives us hope that the situation can be resolved despite having been ongoing for the past 20 years,” said Mr Bemba.
In the run-up to the election, President Tshisekedi campaigned for more jobs, economic growth, and improved public services.
This Tuesday he officially commissioned three major projects in Kinshasa which include Kinshasa General Reference Hospital – formerly known as Maman Yemo, new buildings of the National Pedagogical University (UPN), and a financial center housing the Ministries of Finance and Budget, pledging to spearhead the transformation of livelihoods further.
The people of the DRC will vote for a new president and national assembly members this Wednesday.
Over 20 candidates will battle it out in the Presidential race, with 500 National Assembly seats up for grabs across the 26 provinces of the DRC.
