DRC's ANAFEC urges election for Haut-Katanga governor after resignation

The Alliance Nationale des Fédéralistes Kyunguistes (ANAFEC) is pressing the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to schedule elections for the governor and vice-governor of the Haut-Katanga province. The party contends that the province cannot indefinitely be led by an interim governor, emphasizing the detrimental effects on the provincial executive's capacity and the region's development.

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We have just spent ten months of interim, we must legitimize our institutions. The provincial assembly is stable, but the government must have accountable leaders.

Lolo Kyungu, the national president of ANAFEC, submitted the request in Lubumbashi, stating that ten months of interim leadership have passed and it is time to legitimize the provincial institutions. He highlighted that while the provincial assembly is stable, the government requires accountable leaders. Kyungu explained that an interim government operates partially outside the provincial assembly's control, and its leadership is not fully accountable for budgetary management, which hinders development efforts.

The push for elections comes after Governor Jacques Kyabula submitted his resignation on May 21, 2026. In his resignation letter, Kyabula cited his prolonged presence in Kinshasa for professional and institutional reasons, which kept him away from his province during a sensitive security period.

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An interim government escapes, in part, the control of the Provincial Assembly. The authority in place is not fully accountable for budgetary management.

ANAFEC insists on the urgency of establishing legitimate provincial leadership to ensure effective governance and address the challenges facing Haut-Katanga. The party believes that continued uncertainty surrounding the provincial leadership impedes progress and effective decision-making for the region.

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Over the past few months, my prolonged presence in Kinshasa, required for professional and institutional reasons, has kept me away from my province in a context that is particularly sensitive security-wise.