With over half of the seats in the legislative elections decided, Kabila’s fractious coalition has a strong lead. We could well we looking forward to another five years of the ruling coalition controlling both parliament and the presidency.
Or perhaps I should say “tentatively decided.” The legislative election results have been postponed to January 26, after which we can expect a protracted period of disputes, both inside and outside of courts. Kabila’s Majorité présidentielle coalition has reportedly even set up an internal committee to deal with disputes. Stalwarts like Bahati Lukwebo, former member of the national assembly leadership, have made harsh accusations against the election commission and other MP candidates for fraud.
Nonetheless, according to my back-of-the-envelope count (don’t sue me), here are the preliminary results as of today:
Parties supporting Kabila:
- PPRD 39 seats
- PPPD 18
- MSR (led by Pierre Lumbi) 16
- ARC (Olivier Kamitatu) 11
- PALU (Antoine Gizenga) 9
- AFDC (Modeste Bahati) 4
- ADH (Jean-Claude Baende) 4
- UNADEF (Charles Mwando Simba) 4
- CCU (Lambert Mende) 3
- COFEDEC (Venant Tshipasa) 3
- NAD (Athanase Matenda) 3
Opposition parties:
- UDPS 21
- MLC 13
- UNC 9
- UFC 3
Many other parties only won one or two seats, but it is clear that the ruling coalition has a strong lead, with over half of the 500 seats announced, although their ruling coalition looks like it will be even more fractious than the last one.
According to the published results, Lukwebo lost his seat in Kabare territory (South Kivu). So how have other legislative candidates fared?
There are some notable winners. Two of the president’s siblings won in landslides: his twin sister Jaynet Kabila in the Kalemie (Katanga) constituency, and his brother Zoé Kabila in Manono (Katanga). Meanwhile, presidential advisor Katumba Mwanke won in Pweto territory (Katanga), and two brothers of the election commissioner won – despite controversies surrounding their campaigns – in separate Katangan electoral districts. Other Kabila allies who won: Evariste Boshab (speaker of the national assembly, Mweka territory); Aubin Minaku (head of the Majorité présidentielle coalition, Idiofa); Olivier Kamitatu (minister of planning, ); Jeannine Mabunda (minister of state companies, Bumba); Médard Autsai (governor of Province Orientale, Aru); Adolphe Muzito (prime minister, Kikwit); Konde Vila Kikanda (former governor of North Kivu under Mobutu, Goma); Norbert Katintima (minister of agriculture, Walungu); Jean-Marie Bulambo (minister of medium and small business, Bukavu).
Winners from the opposition include: Anzuluni Bembe (former speaker of parliament under Mobutu, Fizi); Gilbert Kiakwama (opposition leader, Mbanza-Ngungu); Jean Claude Vuemba (opposition leader, Kasangulu); Eve Bazaiba (former opposition spokeswoman, Basoko); Kizito Mushizi (former radio director, Bukavu); Omer Engwake (opposition leader and former minister, Bumba); Delly Sessanga (opposition leader, Luiza); Christian Badibangi (opposition leader, Dimbelenge).
The losers include several officials from the ruling coalition: Alexis Thambe Mwamba (minister of foreign affairs, Kindu); Claude Nyamugabo (minister of sports, Kabare); José Endundo (minister of environment, Mbandaka); Marcellin Cisambo (governor of South Kivu); Shenila Mwanza (senator, Fizi).