Topic:
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Kari Taylor
Committee: General Assembly — UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Topic A: Preserving Free and Fair Elections
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate: Kari Taylor
School: Grand Haven High School
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has had its fair share of untrustworthy elections. The country has struggled to establish a stable political legitimacy through electoral processes. Recently, the DRC was able to conduct a peaceful election in 2023. However, the election came with speculation and allegations of fraud. The election underwent extensions on multiple occasions despite violating Congolese law.
Many Congolese civil society groups and churches have banded together to deploy observers, reporting on voting processes. In the last election in 2023, observer data, which included over 60,000 observers, reported that 27% of polling stations did not open with 45% of voting machines malfunctioning (Nantulya). Although groups requested full reports to validate voting results the Independent National Electoral Commission ( also referred to as CENI) has not provided further information. There was also concern surrounding the voting days. Although voting was intended to end on December 20th it extended multiple delays to some polling offices not ending till December 27. The unreliable voting procedures eventually led to public outcry. Many candidates and community leaders have called to annull and rerun the votes. One religious leader, the Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa even called the DRC’s polls “a gigantic organized disorder” full of corruption (Nantuyla).
The DRC has attempted to create a better framework for its government but rebel groups have infiltrated the country and interfered with many elections as well as establishing humanitarian and ethical concerns. The DRC operates under a framework established by its 2006 constitution, which introduced a decentralized territorial structure and a semi-presidential system (Democratic Republic of the Congo: Government and Society). This system requires the president and the prime minister to share power, aiming to balance authority within the government. Despite these constitutional provisions, the political landscape has been fraught with challenges, including contested elections and questions about the effectiveness of decentralization efforts. Rebel groups such as the M23 and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have interfered with governmental power while also creating a humanitarian crisis for the people living within the DRC.
The DRC needs to begin focusing on limiting resistive groups’ influence within the country and specifically their involvement within the government. To protect voting, militias must be disarmed, civilians protected and extra security forces must be deployed to protect peaceful voting procedures. Unfortunately, many 3rd world countries have corruption routed within their governments, which makes eliminating rebel groups particularly difficult. There could be potential for countries struggling with corruption to partner with 1st world countries. International supporting groups and global powers can help countries monitor electoral processes and provide technical assistance to help ensure credibility. If governments could help the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through election protection programs and humanitarian aid, the DRC can repay for their services through the metal trade assurances. Particularly in the DRC, vital metals such as cobalt and tantalum could be used in deals with other countries. This would establish a solid economic line while providing support for the DRC to move beyond its current corruption-infused government.
While working with other governments will be effective, there are other actions each country can take to ensure its own stability for free elections. Strengthening electoral institutions, like the CENI for the DRC, will involve more transparency within their electoral procedures and manage accurate voter registration. Efforts must be made to protect candidates from opposing parties and remain safe and protected from harm. Similarly, voters should be allowed to hold opposing views without fear or intimidation to conform to a singular ideology. Addressing conflict groups like M23 will also become significant if the DRC intends to create safe places for their citizens, voting and otherwise. By implementing these strategies, the DRC can work towards establishing a more transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral system, thereby strengthening its democratic institutions and promoting long-term stability.
Bibliography
United Nations. “Democratic Republic of Congo Battling Worsening Humanitarian Crisis, Armed Conflict, Despite Recent Peaceful Elections, Special Representative Tells Security Council.” United Nations Meetings Coverage and Press Releases, 27 Mar. 2024, https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15646.doc.htm
“Democratic Republic of the Congo: Government and Society.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/place/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo/Government-and-society. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Nantulya, Paul. “Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Persistent Crisis of Legitimacy.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2 Jan. 2024, https://africacenter.org/spotlight/elections-democratic-republic-congo-drc-crisis-legitimacy/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
“DR Congo Civil Society Deploy Thousands of Observers to Monitor Upcoming Election.” France24, 19 Dec. 2023, https://www.france24.com/en/video/20231219-dr-congo-civil-society-deploy-thousands-of-observers-to-monitor-upcoming-election. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025
