Presidential Majority vs Opposition Meetings: Is it Power Demonstrations or an Array?

On 29 July 2016, the DRC’s Presidential Majority has organized a meeting two days before the forthcoming one to be held by the opposition and two days after the return of Tshisekedi. The Tata Raphael Stadium was likely full of sympathizers or fanatics of the ruling party within the MP platform. Roughly 200 thousands of people gathered around Aubin Minaku and Henri Mova Sakanyi. The rally attended by a delegation from Uvira and Fizi (2000 Kms away from Kinshasa), regrouped approximately 200 political parties. As per informed observers, these meetings look like as a power exhibition from all political parties. To some extent, considering the socio-political context, the countless meetings would be expressing politicians’ will to arraying their forces to fight.

The socio-political context is characterized by the uncertain elections that would be held within months. The delay or failure to organize has led the rulers to think about an exit strategy or a compromise way; that’s the Political and Inclusive Dialogue. Through the facilitation of Edem Kodjo, the dialogue that went announced since November last year seems to slowly taking a step by step. Nonetheless, the near future of the country is likely getting uncertain and politicians are resorting to all means to show their strength. To clearly grasp the matter, the reader would be advised to look back.

The world and Congolese society went amazed by the mass mobilization that came to meet the UDPS’ President, Etienne Tshisekedi back from Brussels where he stayed two years for health matters. It looked that the “popularity” of the historic opposition leader remains on the top. From Ndjili to Limete, thousands of Kinois have gathered all along the Lumumba Boulevard to praise the return of opposition leader. Even though Kinshasa, the DRC main city can’t benchmark the whole picture of the Congolese society, it forms part and parcel of the 26 Provinces which characterizes the country’s diversity. However, from my viewpoint, the blogger still feels that, to an observer who only interprets the apparent facts, overwhelming streets may be misleading. The inner motivation of these gatherings or the levels of ideological conviction making people to follow the rally can profoundly express their intention.

On the 27/07/2016 when asked why he is so eager to go to the Ndjili Airport, one of the guys joining the rally to welcome Etienne Tshisekedi said in Lingala that the life has become so complicated to the extent that there is people who have to every morning borrow a piece of bread, commonly known as Kanga journée. That’s enough and he expects Tshisekedi working hard to change the situation. By paraphrasing the statement of Tshisekedi sympathizer, the motivation to join any rally may consequently be, on one hand, that of “expressing the discontent”. On the other, rallying the journey of demonstration expresses what does some expect to get the “daily bread” as says the main and only book in my dad’s library (Bible).

Can anyone disagree that discontent or struggling to respond to primary needs isn’t a concern for an ordinary citizen in Kinshasa or elsewhere in DRC? Unless the one disagreeing lives in the 27^th Province; getting a cup of thee/coffee with a slice of Kanga journée remains obviously a challenge. It hurts beyond imagination if an observer deeply analyzes the lengthy it takes to have our daily life improving. Subsequently, we sometimes keep running behind situations that would have been our rights. It’s even possible that, in front of these daily challenges, you find the same partisans, sympathizers deciding to rally behind all the meetings, from opposition to those of the ruling party. Don’t be surprised to see these guys attending the pastor, prophet or bishop calls; at the same time, if called by the Imam, they can join too. Nothing strange; anyone can mobilize or is mobilizing. It fits with what ordinary citizens are loudly expressing?

This is why I question myself; does rallying give a blueprint to these concerns? It’s up to the reader to judge. In short, the blogger thinks that responses to our structural challenges lie unlikely from gatherings, meetings or power demonstrations. It is about undertaking a deep assessment of these challenges and finding the solutions out. Let people enjoy as do these one privileged, #SomeOneTellsPoliticians. Take it not as a favor but a right stated by the constitution. Do you have a comment?

NTANYOMA R. Delphin

Secrétaire Exécutif & Coordonnateur

Appui au Développement Intégré &

à la Gouvernance

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Delphino12

Blog: www.edrcrdf.wordpress.com