02:39Democratic Republic of Congo: Beni residents outraged over postponed elections
Residents in Beni expressed outrage on Wednesday over the decision taken by Congo's electoral commission to postpone the presidential elections which were originally planned for December 30 in several areas.
The areas affected are Beni, Lubero and Butembo in the eastern North Kivu Province and Yumbi in the west of Congo, which will now host the ballot in March.
According to the electoral commission, the decision was taken because of insecurity and Ebola outbreaks in the regions. However, some residents suspect that the move is just a means to create disruption in the elections' momentum.
"We do not accept this, so we will fight to the end. On December 30, 2018 the election will take place in the city of Beni - full stop," said one of the locals.
"It is complicity that we will not accept. I ask the people of Beni to take care of them and to no longer accept fake reports aimed at preventing us from electing our leaders because we are suffering under the bad governance of the Kabila," commented another Beni resident.
The presidential elections come after the 18-year rule of President Joseph Kabila, who refused to step down when his mandate expired two years ago, and if successful, they will mark the first democratic transition of power in the DRC.
02:39Residents in Beni expressed outrage on Wednesday over the decision taken by Congo's electoral commission to postpone the presidential elections which were originally planned for December 30 in several areas.
The areas affected are Beni, Lubero and Butembo in the eastern North Kivu Province and Yumbi in the west of Congo, which will now host the ballot in March.
According to the electoral commission, the decision was taken because of insecurity and Ebola outbreaks in the regions. However, some residents suspect that the move is just a means to create disruption in the elections' momentum.
"We do not accept this, so we will fight to the end. On December 30, 2018 the election will take place in the city of Beni - full stop," said one of the locals.
"It is complicity that we will not accept. I ask the people of Beni to take care of them and to no longer accept fake reports aimed at preventing us from electing our leaders because we are suffering under the bad governance of the Kabila," commented another Beni resident.
The presidential elections come after the 18-year rule of President Joseph Kabila, who refused to step down when his mandate expired two years ago, and if successful, they will mark the first democratic transition of power in the DRC.