Topic Of The Day:-“Change In Congo”
A Contentious Election May Lead To The Country’s First Transfer Of Power Via The Ballot
After last month’s general election, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is anxiouslyawaiting the first ever transfer of power via the ballot since gaining independence in 1960. President Joseph Kabila, who had already deferred the polls by two years, postponed them again by a week days before it was scheduled in December. He cited the Ebola outbreakin some provinces and the destruction of electronic voting machines in a fire in the capital Kinshasa as reasons for the latest delay. But Mr. Kabila’s critics dismissed these excuses as coming from a President in denial of his impending defeat after 17 years in power. Their suspicions appeared to be justified, as prominent opposition leaders were barred from the contest by partisan courts and the election commission. Meanwhile, the UN has voiced concerns over the quality of voting machines and the deployment of the state machinery to obstruct opposition campaigns, adding to the sense of uncertainty. Soon after polling closed on December 30, rival camps began to pronounce victory for their own sides. When the election commission last week announced Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress as the winner, it predictablycreated a controversy. Mr. Kabila’s candidate, former Interior Minister Emmanuel Shadary, was expected to romp home. In the event, Mr. Shadary, who faces accusations of human rights abuses, was ranked third. The outcome triggered intense speculation that Mr. Kabila had cut a deal to back Mr. Tshisekedi, son of a deceased opposition leader. The candidate who came in second, Martin Fayulu, a political outsider, has challenged the results.DR Congo’s Catholic church, which runs an independent poll observation mission, has questioned the official result and has even threatened to legally challenge it. It is but natural that DR Congo’s vibrant civil society groups should expect the judiciary to assert its independence, as did the court in Kenya following that country’s disputed 2017 elections. There are real fears that without genuine attempts to uphold the rule of law, the central African nation could slip into protracted political uncertainty and social unrest. The U.S. has cautioned Mr. Kabila against attempting to doctor the popular mandate. But with an eye on the country’s lucrative mineral wealth, which is needed to power electric cars and the robotics revolution, there are limits to the pressure Western nations will want to exert on Kinshasa in the months ahead. The role of Mr. Kabila, who is just 47 years old, in the coming days will be important to watch. He has emphasised that by stepping down, he is merely respecting the constitutional mandate. The intent behind that assertion will be tested in the ensuing months.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) anxiously
Meaning : in a manner resulting from or revealing anxiety.
Synonyms : excitedly
Antonyms : calmly
Example : “we are all waiting anxiously for any news”
2) cited
Meaning : refer to (a passage, book, or author) as evidence for or justification of an argument or statement, especially in a scholarly work.
Synonyms : allude to
Antonyms : conceal
Example : “authors who are highly regarded by their peers tend to be cited”
3) outbreak
Meaning : a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease.
Synonyms : disruption
Antonyms : calm
Example : “the outbreak of World War II”
4) denial
Meaning : the action of denying something.
Synonyms : disapproval
Antonyms : allowance
Example : “she shook her head in denial“
5) impending
Meaning : be about to happen.
Synonyms : brewing
Antonyms : past
Example : “my impending departure”
6) suspicions
Meaning : a feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true.
Synonyms : distrust
Antonyms : certainty
Example : “she had a sneaking suspicion that he was laughing at her”
7) critics
Meaning : a person who expresses an unfavourable opinion of something.
Synonyms : expert
Antonyms : amateur
Example : “critics of the new legislation say it is too broad”
8) barred
Meaning : closed or secured with a long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material.
Synonyms : block
Antonyms : free
Example : “he sits by a barred window”
9) contest
Meaning : an event in which people compete for supremacy in a sport or other activity, or in a quality.
Synonyms : discussion
Antonyms : agreement
Example : “a tennis contest”
10) concerns
Meaning : relate to; be about.
Synonyms : interest
Antonyms : pastime
Example : “the story concerns a friend of mine”
11) deployment
Meaning : the movement of troops or equipment to a place or position for military action.
Synonyms : formation
Example : “the authorities announced deployment of extra security forces in towns and cities to prevent violence”
12) predictably
Meaning : in a way that can be predicted; as expected.
Synonyms : envision
Antonyms : ignore
Example : “so far the markets have behaved predictably”
13) controversy
Meaning : prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion.
Synonyms : argument
Antonyms : agreement
Example : “the design of the building has caused controversy”
14) romp
Meaning : (especially of a child or animal) play roughly and energetically.
Synonyms : lark
Antonyms : work
Example : “the noisy pack of children romped around the gardens”
15) intense
Meaning : of extreme force, degree, or strength.
Synonyms : acute
Antonyms : bland
Example : “the job demands intense concentration”
16) assert
Meaning : state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Synonyms : affirm
Antonyms : conceal
Example : “the company asserts that the cuts will not affect development”
17) disputed
Meaning : argue about (something).
Synonyms : challenge
Antonyms : agree
Example : “the point has been much disputed”
18) lucrative
Meaning : producing a great deal of profit.
Synonyms : good
Antonyms : unprofitable
Example : “a lucrative career as a stand-up comedian”
19) exert
Meaning : apply or bring to bear (a force, influence, or quality).
Synonyms : exercise
Antonyms : conceal
Example : “the moon exerts a force on the Earth”
20) contest
Meaning : engage in competition to attain (a position of power).
Synonyms : challenge
Antonyms : agreement
Example : “she declared her intention to contest the presidency”
21) destruction
Meaning : the action or process of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired.
Synonyms : elimination
Antonyms : creation
Example : “the destruction of the rainforest”
22) merely
Meaning : just; only.
Synonyms : hardly
Antonyms : indefinitely
Example : “Gary, a silent boy, merely nodded”
23) emphasised
Meaning : give special importance or value to (something) in speaking or writing.
Synonyms : attention
Antonyms : ignorance
Example : “they emphasize the need for daily, one-to-one contact between parent and child”
24) assertion
Meaning : a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.
Synonyms : allegation
Antonyms : desertion
Example : “his assertion that his father had deserted the family”
25) intent
Meaning : intention or purpose.
Synonyms : decided
Antonyms : flexible
Example : “with alarm she realized his intent”
26) ensuing
Meaning : occurring afterwards or as a result.
Synonyms : coming
Antonyms : antecedent
Example : “there were repeated clashes in the ensuing days”
