Youthful aspirations, economic hurdles take center stage ahead of DR Congo presidential vote

In the lead-up to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidential vote on December 20, the aspirations of the nation’s youth take center stage. Gedeon, a 22-year-old auto-rickshaw driver in Kinshasa, expressed his desire to return to school and become an electrical engineer, emphasizing the hurdles of poverty that hindered his education.

With over 60 percent of the country’s 100 million population under 20 years old, the youth represent a crucial voting bloc. Interviews conducted by AFP shed light on their concerns, predominantly revolving around a longing for peace in the conflict-ridden nation and a dire need for employment opportunities.

Raphael Rubangiza, an 18-year-old civil engineering student, linked the upcoming vote to prospects for a better job market, emphasizing the importance of electing “competent people” who can create opportunities. However, the reality is sobering; as Rubangiza noted, many graduates end up with limited prospects, such as selling phone credits.

Despite the vast mineral wealth of the DRC, it remains one of the world’s poorest countries, with approximately two-thirds of the population surviving on less than $2.15 per day, according to the World Bank. As the presidential candidates vie for votes, promises to address unemployment are widespread, with President Felix Tshisekedi pledging to create 6.4 million new jobs if re-elected.

However, concrete figures on unemployment are elusive, and Valery Madianga, a researcher, estimates the youth unemployment rate to be around 70 percent. Graduates, like Prisca Musangi, find themselves struggling to enter a job market fraught with limited opportunities and nepotism.

The sentiment among young voters is echoed by Alfred Bopando, a 29-year-old head of a finance and communications company, who emphasizes the urgency of delivering tangible results over empty promises. Floribert Anzuluni, a 40-year-old presidential candidate focused on tackling youth unemployment, emphasizes the need to create companies to generate jobs.

Beyond economic concerns, the specter of ongoing conflict looms large. Beni Mingi, a 25-year-old postal worker, calls for radical change, citing persistent insecurity and armed conflicts in various regions. In the east, law student Brave Kafumbiri highlights the imperative of addressing the M23, either through military or diplomatic means, emphasizing that stability is crucial for the country’s future.