As the Democratic Republic of Congo is nearing election time in december there are reports coming out that if they continue to proceed they risk an outbreak of violence as well as a state wide crisis. In 2018 the Democratic Republic of Congo had their first peaceful transition of power with President Félix Tshisekedi taking office. Since taking office security has deteriorated throughout the country and even with a mineral boom people’s lives have not been improved. President Félix Tshisekedi has attempted to strengthen his position by adding two political heavyweights. Despite all of this Richard Moncrieff of the ICG’s Great Lakes Project spoke to the citizens and the government saying that there needs to be repercussions for politicians who exploit hatred towards certain communities and neighbouring countries.
This article has major implications for the country as the first election where they had a peaceful transition of power the president that they believed in didn’t pan out and left the country in a worse spot. If they end up having to postpone the election it raises the question of will the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo ever be able to fully trust their government. This event happened because the Democratic Republic of Congo is a fairly unstable country and not being able to trust your government puts the security of your government as well as foundation at risk. If the Democratic Republic of Congo decides to continue with the election and violence breaks out country wide they face the dissolvement of their government and potentially their statehood.
This connects to our discussions in class because it brings up the idea of a potential regime change if the country revolts against their government. It gathers around how a country that doesn’t trust their government is prone to riots and overthrows. It kinda is a situation that could happen in Russia id they don’t end up winning the war against Ukraine.