Ex-President Kabila's Allies Win Most Congo Governor Races

(Bloomberg) -- Allies of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s former head of state claimed a resounding victory in gubernatorial elections, cementing their grip on the country’s institutions several months after losing the presidency.

Joseph Kabila’s Common Front for the Congo, known as the FCC, triumphed in 16 of 24 provinces where governorships were up for grabs on Wednesday, according to provisional results published by the electoral commission. President Felix Tshisekedi’s party was successful in a single province, while one went to an opposition faction.

Former opposition leader Tshisekedi won a contested presidential election in late December, while supporters of his rival and predecessor Kabila secured large majorities in the country’s national and provincial parliaments. The two men’s alliances have agreed to govern Congo together in coalition.

The president’s own victory is challenged by rival opposition leader Martin Fayulu, who came second in the Dec. 30 vote and claims Tshisekedi and Kabila made a secret deal to deprive him of victory - a charge both camps deny.

Provincial polls were postponed in two regions and four others will require a second round after no single contestant obtained a plurality of votes from the provincial parliamentarians who elect governors.

‘Political Force’

The FCC congratulated its representatives for showing “discipline and commitment for the cause defended” by Kabila in a statement published Wednesday night. His party, the largest within the FCC alliance, won in 10 regions and said in a statement that it “remains the premier political force in the DRC.”

The ex-president stood down on Jan. 24 after 18 years in power after his preferred successor finished third in the presidential election. While Tshisekedi occupies the presidency, Kabila’s FCC dominates the upper and lower chambers of parliament – as well as the provincial assemblies and governorships. 

Congo’s constitution obliges the president to nominate a prime minister from the ranks of the parliamentary majority, and on March 7 the FCC and Tshisekedi’s alliance, known as CACH, agreed to “facilitate the quick establishment of a functioning government reflecting the will of the people.” Negotiations are still ongoing.

It’s an uneasy partnership. Tshisekedi drew the FCC’s ire when he told an audience in Washington last week he wished to “untangle the dictatorial system in place.” Kabila’s supporters condemned his “militant remarks” on April 8, while reaffirming their commitment to the FCC-CACH coalition.

The FCC’s statement called on its newly elected governors to work “in perfect harmony” with Tshisekedi and the central government once it is appointed. 

To contact the reporter on this story: William Clowes in Kinshasa at wclowes@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: David Malingha at dmalingha@bloomberg.net, Derek Wallbank, Helen Nyambura

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