DR Congo: President Felix Tshisekedi rolls out re-election campaign in Kinshasa

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has urged voters to give him another mandate to consolidate his achievements. He launched his re-election campaign on Sunday in a packed-to-capacity stadium in the capital Kinshasa.

The 60-year-old president who came to power in 2018 following a disputed election, is seeking another term following a turbulent five years in office.

Speaking at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa Martyrs Stadium, Tshisekedi told thousands of his cheering supporters that he had delivered free basic education while promising that his administration would introduce universal healthcare.

About 43 million registered voters are eligible to decide who becomes the next leader of the world’s largest producer of battery material cobalt and a major copper producer in the general election and presidential polls later in December.

While presenting himself as the right candidate for the poll, the Congolese President noted that “others will come and start from scratch, it is better to consolidate what we have started.”

Mr Tshisekedi will face 25 other candidates in the presidential race, including Martin Fayulu, a 66-year-old former Exxon Mobil executive who came second in the 2018 poll.

He has faced criticism from the opposition for falling short of his promises to secure the country, especially from the M23 rebels who have taken large territory and displaced about one million people.