Denis Mukwege, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate gynaecologist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, declared on Monday his intention to run for the presidency in the upcoming December elections.
Mukwege, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his tireless efforts spanning nearly two decades to combat sexual violence, disclosed his candidacy to an exuberant gathering of supporters at a conference center in the capital city of Kinshasa.
Fondly known as the “man who repairs women,” the 68-year-old doctor has provided care to countless victims of wartime sexual assault at the Panzi Hospital, an institution he established in the strife-torn eastern region of Congo back in 1999.
Dr. Mukwege will be competing against President Felix Tshisekedi in the upcoming election. Tshisekedi’s initial term was marked by economic challenges, outbreaks of epidemics, and escalating insecurity in the eastern region. In the east, the M23 rebel group launched a significant offensive last year, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Opposition leader Martin Fayulu, who finished as the runner-up to Tshisekedi in the 2018 election, announced over the weekend that he would also be entering the race.
