The leaders of the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) are set to convene in Luanda, the capital of Angola, with the primary agenda focusing on the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
SADC had previously agreed to deploy approximately 500 complementary troops to the DRC to support the existing East African Community Regional Force (EACRF).
However, the regional bloc had been cautious in assessing the situation.
If the meeting in Angola decides to establish specific deployment dates, it could provide some relief for the eastern DRC.
Nonetheless, the ongoing violence in the region, driven by armed groups, continues to displace thousands of people from their homes, posing a significant challenge.
Moreover, with less than two months left until the elections, the International Crisis Group expresses concerns that if the elections are not managed with consensus, there could be an increased risk of violence.
They argue that planning for the vote without consensus could lead to disputes over the election results and related violence, which would threaten the country’s stability.
“This could increase the risks of contestation of the ballot and related violence. This could be detrimental to the country’s stability,” reads the report Elections in the DRC, limiting the risk of violence,” published on October 30.
President Felix Tshisekedi faces a substantial number of candidates, with the final count to be determined after the Constitutional Court validates the contestants on November 18.
The risk of violence and disputes in the electoral process is high, particularly given the competitive nature of the race and a charged electorate. In 2018, Tshisekedi’s surprise victory led to a national crisis, eventually resulting in a coalition government.
The International Crisis Group highlights that the outcome of the DRC’s election and its stability will depend on the actions of DRC’s foreign allies, who should urge the country to adhere to the law and denounce abuses. The Congolese opposition is currently facing increased repression, and there is a climate of mistrust surrounding the fairness of the elections.
The electoral process faces logistical challenges, especially in delivering electoral materials in a country with a poor road network and expensive and unreliable air transport.
Additionally, the violence between the Wazalendo and the M23 rebels in the eastern DRC has further complicated preparations and security concerns, with clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 intensifying in recent months.