Denis Mukwege, presidential candidate in the DRC: “These elections will be neither transparent, nor credible, nor peaceful!”

On December 20, the inhabitants of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are called to elect their president. In this immense African country of nearly 96 million inhabitants, one of the candidates is none other than Doctor Denis Mukwege. This 68-year-old gynecologist received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his actions in favor of raped women in the east of the country, torn by conflicts between militias. Its hospital in Bukavu has treated more than 50,000 survivors of sexual violence to date.

Very popular in his country, “the man who repairs women”, registered as an independent candidate, however has only slim chances of victory. Without a coalition and with limited finances, he faces major political figures such as outgoing president Félix Tshisekedi, but also the former governor of Katanga and rich businessman Moïse Katumbi, or even Martin Fayulu, unsuccessful candidate in 2018 .

LE FIGARO. - Why did you choose to run for office?

DENIS MUKWEGE. - For more than fifteen years, I have led advocacy at all levels, at the United Nations, in the European Parliament, in so-called democratic countries, to recount the suffering of the population in the east of the DRC, and especially the use of rape as a weapon of war. Fifteen years later, I realized that my advocacy was like a sword in water. The atrocities continue, women's bodies are transformed into a battlefield, and everyone turns a blind eye because it is about economic gains. As you know, our country is spoiled by its natural resources, especially minerals which are actually the reason for this war. I have reached a level where the humiliation of my people is no longer bearable. My capacity for action within civil society has shown its limits. I said to myself that there was perhaps, on a political level, the possibility of changing that...

Félix Tshisekedi had made peace in the East the priority of his mandate. Why did it fail? For your part, what alternative do you propose?

The president had said that if peace failed, he would consider his term a failure. The state of affairs is clear today. We have a completely disjointed army where soldiers receive between 70 and 130 euros per month. They have a family, children to send to school, medical care, food, housing to pay for. You can't ask someone you pay so little to give up their life, while you yourself live in opulence. Even our generals, who are highly educated, receive 150 or 200 dollars per month. What can they do with that?

It is not enough to say, but to act, and to reform through actions. Have an army capable of securing territorial borders, a police force capable of ensuring the security of goods and people, an intelligence service capable of preventing all armed conflicts that begin in neighboring countries from ending in the Democratic Republic of Congo .

Rwandan interference in the conflict has been highlighted several times by the UN. What relations would you establish with Kigali, if you were president?

I believe that we can have normal relations with all our neighbors as long as they are based on mutual respect. It is the result of a balance of forces. If we don't have a competent police force or intelligence service, how do you expect other countries to respect us?

The Congolese subsoil contains 80% of the world's cobalt reserves and one of the largest copper mines. The mines of Kivu, in the east, reserve the coltan necessary for the manufacture of smartphones. What should we do with this wealth?

We must organize the economy to allow these minerals to be of use to the Congolese as well as to the world. Our mining code is already acceptable as is, but it is not applied. We see companies or private individuals who sometimes come from very far away, settling in the equatorial forest and exploiting these minerals under the protection of politicians, to sell them on the black market, without the Congolese state gaining anything. . Our neighboring countries help themselves to us, that is no secret. Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi export minerals that do not come from them. Added to this are Chinese artisanal miners who set up without asking any questions. Everyone can come and find their place in this mafia system. I advocate for win-win trade, simply by enforcing the law.

There are 7 million internally displaced people in the DRC. The Independent National Commission announced that these people would not be able to vote on Wednesday. Does this call into question the election results?

These citizens are in enormous suffering. Depriving them of their right to vote is simply abandoning them to their misery. Our concern is real about the total lack of planning for this election. One week before the elections, the country asked the Security Council for planes to transport electoral materials. The day before the election, the Security Council must still meet to decide on the mandate of MONUSCO. These elections will be neither transparent, nor credible, nor peaceful!

This Tuesday, a draft resolution is being discussed at the UN to “initiate the progressive, responsible and sustainable withdrawal” of peacekeepers in the DRC. Is this bad news?

We could renew this United Nations mission several times, if it does not change its nature, the suffering of the Congolese population will continue. We need more of a peace enforcement mission, like the one that took place in Ituri (in 2003, Paris had catastrophically mounted Operation Artemis in Ituri to stop the fighting between militias and stop the abuses against civilians, editor's note). Such a mission would make it possible to neutralize the armed groups on site, and, gradually, for trained Congolese forces to take the place of the blue helmets. Peace will only be lasting if stabilization is done by the Congolese. After the Artemis mission, if we had taken over with a well-trained, well-paid army, with good command, we would not be where we are today.

What relationship would you recommend with France?

We have a common history, and we share the language. Our country has the largest French-speaking population in the world (95 million inhabitants, editor's note). As part of the Francophonie, I would like France to be much more involved in peace in the DRC. Alone, one country cannot resolve the question of peace. We need the support of everyone, including France.

In what form ?

On a military level, training the army would be the basis. But on the diplomatic level, any member of the Security Council can play an important role. Unfortunately, we have the impression that the Congolese question interests very little.

If you are not elected, will you continue your fight in politics?

For me, this candidacy was about responsibility. Once this mission is accomplished, I do not intend to pursue a political career. I am a human rights defender and this suits me very well. I will continue my mission which began more than 20 years ago, to treat the victims of this war. I will have no regrets, since my candidacy was an act of responsibility. I would have suffered much more if I hadn’t done it! The worst thing is to choose indifference. Now, it is up to the population to judge and I submit to their choice. For my part, I will have the peace of mind of having done my duty.