Congo faces bumpy road to 2023 elections

Significance

Most notably, it includes setting December 20 next year as the date for presidential, legislative, provincial and municipal elections, just before the constitutional deadline for these contests expires.

Impacts

• Even without electoral controversies, broader popular frustrations may trigger protests and other manifestations of discontent.
• Having shown signs of wanting to open civic space early on, the government is likely to turn increasingly to repression to counter dissent.
• The security crisis in the east could disenfranchise huge numbers of people, which would inevitably create a popular backlash.