General elections are expected to be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on December 20, 2023, according to the electoral calendar released by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Simultaneous elections will be held for the President, 500 members of the National Assembly, and the elected members of the 26 provincial assemblies.
However, with the elections scheduled for the end of the year, there are reports suggesting that heavyweights in Congolese politics have rushed to lobbying firms in Washington to earn favors. History in the DRC is witness to the significant roles Western lobbyists have played in trying to swing DRC elections. This time seems to be no exception.
Key contenders in Washington
Félix Tshisekedi, Congolese opposition leader Martin Fayulu, and Moise Katumbi, a businessman and former governor in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are all key contenders in the country’s presidential election scheduled for December 2023. According to a report, all three contenders have been busy for several months on the banks of the Potomac, as they did five years ago when they tried to win favors from the Trump administration.
Western Lobby in DRC elections
Another report indicates that Congolese opposition leader Martin Fayulu has appointed his own lobbyist in Washington for the 2023 Presidential election. Fayulu, who has lost favor in the US, is looking to convince the administration that he is the candidate they should back in the next Presidential election.
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Meanwhile, Félix Tshisekedi, who is already a favorite in Washington, wants to further cement ties with the Biden administration as well as with the Republicans in Congress. Reports suggest that his minister of communication has signed on two lobbying firms, one on each side of the political divide.
However, this is nothing new for the DRC, as Western lobbying firms have played a pivotal role in DRC elections to the point where it has almost become a ritual. In the run-up to the 2018 Presidential elections, Congolese politicians tried to expand their network of US lobbyists in Washington as well.
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Furthermore, there are reports suggesting that a lobbying firm with deep ties to the UK Conservative Party planned a secretive campaign to influence elections in the DRC in exchange for millions of pounds from a mining company.
Why DRC?
The Central African country of the DRC is rich in natural resources, including oil and gas, gold, and diamonds, as well as minerals critical to the energy transition, such as cobalt and copper, which are highly valued in the West. Additionally, the issue of M23 has been a major source of tension between Rwanda, a pro-West country, and the DRC.
The DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting M23, and this ongoing chaos has often led to souring relations between the DRC and the US. As the DRC elections approach, it will be an opportunity for the US to mend ties by backing the candidate of its choice, most likely Tshisekedi himself. Having a favorable regime in the DRC, along with a pro-West Rwanda, will provide a much-needed respite to the US’ so-far disastrous Africa policy. In the wake of growing anti-West sentiment, if the West manages to win the DRC for its camp, it will be able to consolidate its position and gain an advantage in the Central African region against Russia.
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