Congo opposition candidate Katumbi vows more security in militia-plagued east

Congolese presidential candidate Moise Katumbi addresses his supporters during an election rally at the Afia stadium in Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo November 23, 2023. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Presidential candidate Moise Katumbi has promised residents in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern city of Goma not to abandon them amid spiralling militia violence in the region and to make security a priority if he wins the Dec. 20 vote.

Katumbi addressed hundreds of jubilant supporters at a rally in Goma on Thursday evening as part of his campaign to unseat President Felix Tshisekedi, who is running for a second term in next month's election.