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00:00 Arms outstretched, Martin Fayoulou, one of DR Congo's opposition leaders, imitates
00:05 an eagle, the nickname given to him by his supporters.
00:09 The eagle is also a symbol of victory.
00:11 After three delays requested by the Congolese authorities, he is finally able to hold his
00:16 meeting.
00:17 For several weeks, Congolese opposition politicians have been decrying political harassment.
00:22 Protests have been repressed.
00:24 Houses searched.
00:25 They can point to many examples, starting with the arrest of Salomon Kalanda, an advisor
00:30 to Moise Katumbi, who is suspected of colluding with the M23.
00:34 "There is harassment because an opposition that offers an alternative to building a true
00:39 state is embarrassing for a silent regime that doesn't act."
00:45 With six months to go until the presidential election, the campaign is shaping up to be
00:49 very tense.
00:50 According to this political analyst, the rising tensions can be explained by insecurity in
00:55 the east of the country and by the history of the incumbent governing party.
01:00 "It's a civilian government that arrived after 40 years of military government, so there
01:05 are authoritarian elements that remain.
01:07 There was also a certain will from the opposition party that had not been in power for a long
01:11 time and wants to stay."
01:15 Staying in power will be the challenge for the UDPS, which is set to wage its first campaign
01:20 whilst being the ruling party.
01:24 The UDPS is preparing to line up behind President Félix Tshisekedi.
01:28 It rejects the opposition's accusations that his rule has led to sustained attacks on civil
01:33 liberties and persecution of his political rivals.
01:36 "There is a very big difference between the way we were treated when we were in the opposition
01:42 and the way in which today's political opposition are treated.
01:46 We're not saying that everything we do is perfect, but there has been a big change."
01:51 Presidential and parliamentary elections are due to be held in December.
01:57 Even though some opposition parties are fielding candidates, Martin Fayoulou has said that
02:02 his party will not participate unless there is a complete revision of the electoral roll.