The Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed President Felix Tshisekedi’s win in the December 20, 2023 election. The election, however, was marked by irregularities and criticism from the opposition, who claimed the polls were a “farce”. The joint observer mission from the Catholic Church and the Church of Christ of Congo cited numerous irregularities, and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo expressed frustration with the process.
The situation in the DRC is not unique. Zimbabwe has also struggled to hold free and fair elections, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa winning disputed elections in 2018 and 2023. The opposition, led by Nelson Chamisa, asserted that the polls were fraudulent and called for a rerun. A SADC electoral observer mission found several issues with the election process, but the government rejected their findings.
Other SADC countries, including Mozambique, Angola, Tanzania, and Malawi, have also faced accusations of electoral fraud and irregularities, indicating a wider problem of democratic backsliding in the region.
SADC leaders need to take action to ensure free and fair elections in member countries and impose punitive measures when necessary. The people of the DRC and Zimbabwe, as well as the wider Southern Africa region, deserve better.