DR Congo prepares for presidential vote

Tensions are rising in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as it prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections amid ongoing violence by armed groups in the mineral-rich east

MAIN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS IN DEC 20 ELECTION

President Félix Tshisekedi, 60 Came to power in disputed 2018 election. Seeking second, and final, five-year term in office

Moïse Katumbi, 58 Businessman and former governor of Katanga region, as well as owner of TP Mazembe football team

Martin Fayulu, 66 Former Exxon Mobil executive. Officially came second in 2018 election but claims that he won

Denis Mukwege, 68 Renowned gynaecologist won 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with rape survivors
 
Provinces most affected by conflict More than 100 armed groups fighting for land and resources

Estimated six million people have died in conflict in eastern DRC since 1996, with nearly seven million others displaced

Background: DRC is largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, with population of more than 100 million. Two-thirds live below poverty line, earning $2.15 per day or less

Resources: Major deposits of diamonds, gold, copper, tin, tantalum and lithium. DRC is world’s largest producer of cobalt – used in mobile phone batteries

CENT. AFRICAN REP.
SOUTH SUDAN
Ituri 
North Kivu 
DEM. REP. OF CONGO 
CONGO
South Kivu 
Kinshasa
UGANDA 
RWANDA 
BURUNDI 
TANZANIA
ANGOLA
Tanganyika
ZAMBIA
500km 310 miles  

 
 Sources: BBC, Council on Foreign Relations, Reuters Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS