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The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s ruling political coalition, the Sacred Union, has nominated President Felix Tshisekedi as its candidate for the December 20 elections.

The coalition’s announcement was made on October 1, even though it was widely expected that Tshisekedi would seek a second term in office.

“Felix Tshisekedi has been nominated as candidate for President of the Republic on behalf of the nation’s Sacred Union,” Andre Mbata, a spokesperson for Tshisekedi’s party, said at the People’s Palace in Kinshasa.

With less than 12 weeks before the vote, political activity within has heightened, with various opposition leaders declaring their intention to challenge Tshisekedi.

Some of the candidates that have declared their intentions to vie include Martin Fayulu, who lost to Tshisekedi in the December 2018 election, former Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito and long-time opposition figure Moise Katumbi.

Tshisekedi, 60, was elected president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019.

His ascendancy to the presidency marked the first peaceful transfer of power in the country of more than 80 million, since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960.

In the run up to the December elections, much of the focus has been placed on the country’s security, as armed militia continue to wage attacks in certain parts of the country, including the eastern region where the national army (FARDC) is battling M23 rebels.

Ahead of the elections, DR Congo’s security agencies have been preparing officers to secure the vote and ensure calmness during the process.