During his presidential campaign in 2018, Democratic Republic of Congo President, Félix Tshisekedi, listed a series of promises aimed at improving the lives of the Congolese population.

He vowed to end the security crisis, tackle corruption, boost the country’s economy, and promote human rights and, the Congolese people were hopeful of positive changes in their material conditions under his leadership.

But, unfortunately for them, after five years in power and with a new round of elections looming in December 2023, there is more trouble, misery and pain. What has happened to the DRC and its people since his election is that socio-economic conditions have worsened for the ordinary population in the busy urban centres of the country.  The material conditions are worse for rural populations, where even a semblance of state presence does not exist, various reports indicate.

Analysts are of the view that Tshisekedi has exhibited disturbing instincts throughout his first term. From free schools to peace in the east, Tshisekedi has failed to deliver. He has not kept his word, and for that, he preferred to find scapegoats.

Tshisekedi is seeking re-election in the coming December polls. But he has no single achievement to show in his effort at convincing the Congolese that he fulfilled his promises.

The 60-year-old politician won a presidential seat in one of the most disputed and controversial presidential elections in DRC’s history. Now, more than ever, no political analyst believes that he deserved the position of head of state.

Tshisekedi’s term manifested a surge of corruption cases in government offices, especially among his close circle. In September 2022, leaked videos went viral showing Vidiye Tshimanga, the special strategic advisor to Tshisekedi, offering unlimited access to the country’s mineral resources in exchange for bribes, including shares in the companies and underhand paybacks, for himself and the president.

The video exposed the inner image of Tshisekedi’s circle, and the high levels of corruption in the country.

A report by the inspectorate General of Finance (IGF) revealed massive embezzlement of taxpayers’ money.  According to the findings of an audit of the government's payroll, the IGF noted numerous irregularities, with tens of thousands of ghost employees.

"The monthly loss of earnings suffered by the Treasury is 148,999,749,440.95 Congolese francs ($66.2 million)," the IGF stated.

The Congolese public finance watchdog says that more than 145,000 paid agents have incorrect, fictitious and fabricated registration numbers for payroll purposes. Nearly $800 million is lost annually from the public treasury through this kind of embezzlement, the IGF report concludes.

Other than corruption, the president’s incompetence and lack of coordination of the security forces became an opportunity to rebel groups that have increased to more than 130 in the country’s east. The DRC is grappling with renewed fighting in its eastern region, as well as renewed tensions with Rwanda which he claims is aiding the M23 rebels.

Tshisekedi failed to solve the problem of the persecution and hate speech against Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese, which led to the M23 resurgence in late 2021.

Since he assumed office in 2019, the security crisis in eastern DRC worsened. Hundreds of Congolese living in the region were killed while millions others were displaced internally or fled to neighboring countries.

Tshisekedi's failure in addressing the rebellion shifted from declining dialogue with the M23, as he was urged by his regional counterparts, to accusing neighboring Rwanda of backing the rebel group. Kigali has consistently denied the allegations.

Related: DRC: Why Tshisekedi does not qualify for a second term

Tshisekedi’s promise to promote human rights failed too.

In 2020, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in DRC reported that Congolese soldiers were responsible for the highest number of human rights violations, 22 per cent.

From 2008 to 2012, massacres were less severe, but they intensified dramatically from 2019 to 2021, according to a report by the Congolese parliament.

From police brutality to persecution and repression, violence against political opponents is increasing countrywide. Tshisekedi is behind these human rights abuses.

Several opposition figures including Mike Mukebayi, and Franck Diongo of Moïse Katumbi’s party are under arrest.

Chérubin Okende, a Congolese opposition lawmaker was found dead in a car on July 13, in Kinshasa.

Jean-Marc Kabund who left Tshisekedi’s UDPS to form his own political party, said that he could not work with Tshisekedi for his lack of clear vision, notorious incompetence and institutionalized mismanagement characterized by the carelessness, irresponsibility, and predation at the top of the state by the president’s camp.