By Ajong Mbapndah L
The victory of President Felix Tshisekedi in the recent elections reflects a ringing endorsement of his vision from the Congolese people, says his administration spokesperson Tina Salama. By opting to re-elect President Tshisekedi for a second mandate, the Congolese people have opted to strengthen his first term achievements and can expect more reforms that will significantly improve their lives, says Tina Salama in an interview with PAV.
The imperfections observed by the opposition represent a small percentage compared to the overall results proclaimed from the elections and the vast majority of Congolese see the results as a true reflection of their vote, Salama says.
What is your take on the elections that just took place?
Tina Salama: For the sake of objectivity, we embrace the different viewpoints of independent observers who have deemed the elections to have been well-organized and peaceful.
What does this victory mean for President Tshisekedi and what should Congolese expect from him in second term?
Tina Salama: President Tshisekedi sees this victory as a reflection of the Congolese people’s support for his political vision. The people have chosen to strengthen the achievements of Tshisekedi’s governance. As a result, the people can expect the continuation of reforms that will significantly improve their daily lives.
What is the reaction to allegations of fraud from some of the contenders like Moise Katimbi?
Tina Salama: In response to allegations of fraud made by some opposition figures, we believe it is legitimate for the opposition to express their opinions on the election situation freely. Importantly, the imperfections observed represent a very small percentage compared to the overall declared results.
What is the general mood like in the country after the elections and the announcement of President Tshisekedi’s reelection?
Tina Salama: Post-election, there is a sense of calm in public opinion. The people followed these elections with interest and saw the results as a true reflection of their vote.
How does President Tshisekedi intend to conduct business with neighboring countries and Rwanda in particular during his second term?
Tina Salama: Regarding relations with neighboring countries, it is important to note that the Congolese people have suffered greatly from insecurity in the eastern part of the country. Like any Head of State, President Tshisekedi has the sacred duty to do everything possible to restore peace to this region, allowing Congolese citizens to not only return to their respective homes but also live in peace in order to work towards the development of the country.
Looking part at his first term, what are some of the major achievements of his administration?
Tina Salama: It is very difficult to summarize the achievements of the President in a few lines. Nonetheless, noteworthy examples include: increasing the national budget from 4 billion to 16 billion dollars, providing free basic education, strengthening the armed forces, revitalizing diplomacy, launching the program for free childbirth, constructing and rehabilitating healthcare, education, and energy infrastructure, and implementing reforms in public administration and the judiciary, resulting in the regularization of the administrative and financial situations of hundreds of thousands of civil servants and teachers. Additionally, the recruitment of 5,000 magistrates, with 2,500 appointed in 2023, and the PDL 145 territories have been accomplished.
What kind of engagement should we expect to see with international partners like France, Belgium, and the USA?
Tina Salama: The DRC expects its international partners to work towards adhering strictly to the commitments made in favor of peace. Furthermore, the practice of double standards should be abolished. Only through these means can justice triumph in the world.
Is the departure of the United nations mission something that his administration will continue to push for in the second term?
Tina Salama: Regarding the departure of the United Nations mission, it is the responsibility of each state to work towards ensuring its sovereignty. Thus, it is entirely logical for the DRC to strive for the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) to take full control of all security matters in the country.
This is about the 4th time or so to see elections in the DRC, what do you make of the democratic experience in your country and any improvements you think are needed?
Tina Salama: The Congolese democratic experience has had its ups and downs. Aside from the 1960 elections, the country had general elections in 2006, followed by an armed confrontation in Kinshasa. In 2011, after the elections, there were significant restrictions on the rights and freedoms of opposition members. The 2018 elections were organized under strong pressure from political and social forces in the DRC, two years after the constitutional deadline. The latest elections were held within the constitutional timeframe, without any infringement on the rights and freedoms of citizens (such as internet shutdowns and curfews imposed in cities, etc.). As a proposed amendment, it would be desirable for elections to be scheduled during the dry season, which would avoid the additional hardships caused by heavy rainfall typically experienced in December.
*Culled From January Issue of PAV Magazine
