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- Who will you vote for?
Who will you vote for?
October 29th, 2011
One day before the electoral campaign, tension mounts, the people are getting ready! Banners and photos invade the city. Out of the eleven candidates, who 
will you vote to lead the Democratic Republic of Congo?
According to a small poll that was conducted in almost all the neighborhoods of Goma (except Mugunga), out of a bit over 500 people from 18 to 24 years old, the following question was asked: who will you vote for? Out of the 500 participants, Joseph Kabila got 52, Vital Kamerhe 323 and Tshisekedi 120 while the other 8 candidates got a total of 25.
I decided to conduct my own little inquiry…
“Vital Kamerhe, because his project is valuable compared to the so-called five sites that Kabila had promised to undertake during his presidency. I don’t trust Kabila anymore, he didn’t keep his mandate promises.” explains Sammy W., student at UNIGOMMA university.
Incumbent President Joseph Kabila has been in power since 2001. He took office ten days after the assassination of his father. In 2006 he was elected as President opening the door to widespread violence.
Sarah K., 19, from the Mabanga neighborhood: “I will vote for Kabila, mainly because he is handsome” she blurts out with a timid smile, “then he also brought peace to our region and the country as a whole! I think he needs more time to accomplish the promises the made in 2006.” she ends.
President Kabila became the world’s first head of government taking power at the age of 29. Young, he is often considered charming and handsome by Congolese women. He is also considered inexperienced by political analysts.
“We can count on Tshisekedi he has been fighting the current government for many years now; if elected, he will not let us down,” explains to me a young university student, 20, I meet in one of many corridors of my university.
Etienne Tshisekedi, 79 years old, has indeed been in politics since Mobutu, the former dictator of my country.
Vital Kamerhe has been announced as the East’s (my region) favorite. Vital Kamerhe is “the historical and legitimate opponent” according to many analysts, including Brazzaville journal, that announced him as the favorite candidate for the Congolese living in the Eastern part of the DRC.
Kamerhe, Kabila or Tshisekedi, the youth in Goma, in the East of DRC, are at least discussing politics. Plurality is present, now it is to see if it will be respected.
Didier Muhama, Now AfriCAN Reporter Hero
3 Responses to “Who will you vote for?”
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good Didier
Thank you for this insightful piece Didier. Young people are speaking out. Keep up the good work. Many thanks, CN
I really wonder who will win these elections…! Kabila again probably!