Congolese diaspora: 'Our voice is still heard back home'
Congolese citizens living abroad will not be allowed to vote in the upcoming presidential elections, as the constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) requires voters to be within the country’s borders on the day of the elections in order to exercise their rights as citizens. Yet, Congolese opposition parties have established branches in Europe, particularly in the Belgian capital Brussels. But the situation of Congolese opposition abroad seems to reflect the situation in the DRC, despite the distance.
By Patou Nsimba, Kinshasa
In a Brussels coffeehouse, close to Porte Namur which is often referred to as 'the Congolese neighbourhood', a prominent member of the UFC (Union of Forces for Change) confides: “Kengo begged us to come back home and help rebuild the country. Although we are not allowed to vote, our voice is still heard back home”. The UFC is the party of presidential candidate Kengo Wa Dondo, who served as Prime Minister under Mobutu Sese Seko.
Like many other Congolese expatriates, this member of the opposition has chosen to campaign from Europe, because the Diaspora can indirectly influence Congolese politics. An increasing number of Congolese politicial parties now have bases in Belgium. But the proximity, together with the difference in viewpoints, often leads to clashes among members of various parties.
A divided Diaspora
In Brussels, there is a group of politically active Congolese expatriates known as ‘Bana Congo’ – which means the children of Congo – or ‘the resistance fighters’. They are very hostile towards the regime and authorities in Kinshasa as well as the musicians - accusing them of singing the praises of the government.
Through their actions in Europe and elsewhere, the Bana Congo have become influential actors in the DRC. The resistance fighters claim ties with Etienne Tshisekedi, the historical opposition candidate. According to them, the leader of the UDPS (Union for Democracy and Social Progress) party is the candidate for a better future in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The other politicians and presidential candidates are trying to distract us once again. They support the current government and are trying to fool us. They are therefore party to the crimes committed by Joseph Kabila. We don’t want foreigners. We are fighting their representatives in Brussels and elsewhere”, says Jean-Jacques Ngalazi, member of the UDPS branch in Brussels.
This aggressive tone was not tolerated by the representatives of other political parties in the Diaspora, who prefer dialogue over confrontation, as one UFC member explains: “There is a lack of tolerance from the resistance fighters. They are members of Etienne Tshisekedi’s UDPS. Their president encourages violence and intimidation. He thinks he is the Congolese ‘messiah’. Our base in Brussels allows us to keep our eyes on the situation back home and closely follow Congolese news as it unfolds. We also have regular discussions with members of Vital Kamerhe’s party”.
Growing tension
It appears tension is growing between Congolese opposition members in the Diaspora. The call for violence by UDPS candidate, Etienne Tshisekedi, may very well be heard outside the DRC borders.
“The president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Ngoy Mulunda, is a close friend of Kabila. He campaigned for Kabila during the 2006 presidential elections and he is one of the founding members of the ruling PPRD (People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy). For proof, they don’t want to allow Congolese members of the Diaspora to vote because they know who we are”, shouts Jean-Jacques Ngalazi. It appears the president of the electoral body, Daniel Ngoy Mulunda, is not only disliked by the Congolese in Belgium. Mulunda narrowly escaped lynching in a restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa.
Although they have not been granted voting rights, Congolese citizens from the Diaspora try to make their voices heard. Some chose peaceful means while others have resorted to violence. In that sense, the situation for the Congolese Diaspora is not so different from that of their fellow compatriots back in the DRC.