The Intelligence from The Economist The Intelligence: Congo’s election
Dec 19, 2023
Kinley Salmon, the Africa correspondent for The Economist, shares his expertise on the upcoming Congolese elections, focusing on Felix Tshisekedi's controversial incumbency. He discusses widespread voter skepticism, historical corruption, and the complexities of governance that could impact the election's fairness. The conversation also dives into the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and the ethical dilemmas it presents, alongside an intriguing look at New York’s new congestion charge initiative aimed at alleviating traffic woes.
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Unfinished Projects, Positive Spin
- Kinley Salmon traveled with President Tshisekedi's campaign team to Lubumbashi.
- They visited half-built classrooms and a clinic, where a woman praised Tshisekedi's work.
Incumbency Advantage
- Congo's electoral law uses a single round, favoring incumbents like Tshisekedi due to vote splitting among opponents.
- Tshisekedi's campaign has a significant visibility advantage with posters everywhere, unlike his rivals.
Katumbi's Record
- Moïse Katumbi, a wealthy businessman and owner of a successful football club, is considered Tshisekedi's most credible challenger.
- Katumbi emphasizes his record of effective management and infrastructure development as former governor.