The brutal murder of the Congolese former Minister, Cherubin Okende, an opposition Member of Parliament (MP), has cast a shadow of doubt over plans for the December elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to Moise Katumbi, the former Governor of Katanga Province and the opposition Together for the Republic party President, Okende’s murder puts a spotlight on the political violence that has been escalating in the DRC, especially in the Eastern provinces, driven by political rivalries, land disputes, mineral interests, and foreign intervention.

Katumbi said that Okende was an MP for his party whose death he termed as a political assassination meant to shut down the opposition.

Trésor Kibangula, a Congolese political analyst at the Ebuteli think tank said that, Okende’s death causes “hysteria” in the country’s political life.

He also said that the “shrinking” of the democratic space is an even bigger fear.

“Some demonstrations have been recently forbidden and some Politicians have been arrested, warned that the country is moving a dangerous path,” Kibangula explained.

However, Martin Fayulu, who ran for president in the last election in 2022 has since announced a boycott of the December polls citing electoral fraud.

Moise Katumbi, Matata Ponyo, and Delly Sesanga, who are also in the opposition have joined forces with Fayulu. However, they have not said whether they will boycott the current election process or not.

Nevertheless, insecurity caused by armed groups like M23 and the FDLR in the east hindered the process.

Analyst Trésor Kibangula has low trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the opposition hasn’t done enough to support the commission.

The death of Okende occurred in the middle of an important week in DRC’s electoral process and those who want to participate in the parliamentary elections had until  July 15, 2023, to register as candidates.

The Congolese general elections slated for December 20, 2023, will no doubt stoke existing tensions between party supporters and political candidates.

The situation in the DRC remains fragile, and the killing of Okende is a reminder of the challenges that the country faces in achieving a peaceful and democratic transition of power. His death is sure to haunt more than one political candidate.