DOUALA: Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, a surgical gynecologist has announced that he will contest the Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidential elections scheduled to be held on December 20, Western media reported on Monday.
Mukwege, 68, in a public address in the capital Kinshasa said that he was not contesting polls for personal gains or power but to protect his country.
Mukwege said he will formally file his candidacy documents as an independent candidate on Tuesday with the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the Central African state.
He enjoys the support of the Alliance of Congolese for the Refoundation of the Nation (ACRN), a new political coalition formed this year led by Pastor Roger Puati.
Denis Mukwege in his various public addresses has often stressed a democratic revolution, asking people to vote.
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He aims to continue his fight for women’s rights and against sexual violence in a country hit by armed conflicts that have forced millions of people to leave their homes.
Mukwege has devoted his life to defending victims of sexual violence in wartime and has saved thousands of patients with the help of his team.
So far 20 people have shown interest in contesting the presidential polls, out of which seven have been officially registered.
The ruling majority has officially nominated the current head of state Felix Tshisekedi as its candidate for the December presidential election. According to the law, he is eligible to contest the election for a second five-year term.
