The United States on Tuesday threatened sanctions against the Democratic Republic of Congo if elections are not held this year and urged the UN Security Council to punish those responsible for a flareup of violence. Under a deal reached last year and backed by the Security Council, President Joseph Kabila was allowed to remain in … Read more
The main opposition party in the DemocraticRepublic of Congo on Monday blasted as a “provocation” and a power grab an announcement that elections to end a deep political crisis in the mineral-rich country will likely not be held this year. The president of DR Congo’s electoral commission, Corneille Nangaa, had told reporters in Paris on … Read more
Both security forces and Kamwina Nsapu militiamen are accused of murder, mutilation, rape, and destruction of property. The death toll is in the hundreds, 1 million people have been displaced, thousands of children have been drafted in to fight. More than 40 mass graves have so far been found. On 29 May this year, the … Read more
Democratic Republic of Congo’s former police chief John Numbi, believed by regime critics to be prime suspect in the murder of a key rights activist, has been made a national hero. Numbi, who holds the rank of general, is one of eight senior police officers named as “national heros” by President Joseph Kabila in a … Read more
Congolese President Joseph Kabila on Saturday said he had never “promised anything” about whether to hold elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, seeming to back away from a deal to hold a vote this year. “I have not promised anything at all,” Kabila told the German weekly Der Spiegel in a rare media interview. … Read more
The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended military cooperation with former colonial power Belgium after Brussels criticised President Joseph Kabila’s choice of prime minister, sources said Friday. “The decision to suspend military cooperation with Belgium has taken effect. This measure was pending since (Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders) came out and attacked the Congolese authorities,” … Read more
The son of Etienne Tshisekedi, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s late opposition leader, has been chosen as his father’s successor. Felix Tshisekedi, 53, will now lead the opposition coalition in crucial negotiations over the departure of President Joseph Kabila from office. Under a deal agreed last year, new elections would be held by the end … Read more
The body of Congolese opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi is to be repatriated next week, several weeks after his death, his party said Wednesday, raising hopes of a restart of talks on a deal to end the political crisis. Tshisekedi’s death and the delay over repatriating his body from Brussels have blocked the implementation of a … Read more
Opposition supporters were vocal against a possible third term for President Kabila Security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo used excessive force against protesters during a demonstration against a possible third term for President Joseph Kabila, the UN says in a report (in French). The UN says it has documented the death of at … Read more
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) cannot afford the cost of holding elections this year. According to Minister of State in charge of Budget, Pierre Kangudia Mbayi, the $1.8bn needed to organize the polls was out of reach. At a press conference held on Wednesday (February 15, 2017) the minister said he doubted if the … Read more
President Kabila’s opponents have accused him of delaying the election in order to remain in power Budget Minister Pierre Kangudia said the cost of organising the poll, which was said to be $1.8bn (£1.5bn), was too expensive. Last year the government and the opposition agreed that new elections would be held by the end of … Read more
The African Union (AU) has expressed sorrow at the death of Etienne Tshisekedi, main opposition chief in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 84-year-old veteran politician died on Wednesday evening at age 84 in Belgium’s capital Brussels. The AU extended condolences to the Tshisekedi family, to members of his party, the Union for Democracy … Read more
Congo’s main opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, one of the country’s most important advocates of democracy, has died in Brussels aged 84, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. Tshisekedi stood up to Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled the country, then known as Zaire, for decades before being overthrown by Rwanda, Uganda and other forces. He was also … Read more
Senior ministers backed the deal, which would see Mr Kabila stay on until elections are held by the end of 2017. The country has faced a crisis since Mr Kabila failed to step down earlier in December, when his mandate expired. Elections should have been held in November, and dozens of people have died in … Read more
A deal has been signed to end Joseph Kabila’s 15-year rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo – but the president himself has yet to add his signature. Senior ministers backed the deal, which would see Mr Kabila stay on until elections are held by the end of 2017. The country has faced a crisis … Read more
The Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has appealed for a resolution to the ongoing political standoff over the future of current President Joseph Kabila. The call by the church comes after 34 people were reportedly killed and 45 others wounded in clashes between police and protesters who took to the streets … Read more
South Africa says it is concerned about the volatile political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has expressed the willingness to assist in any way to restore peace asking the international community to increase its efforts in that direction. A statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on … Read more
Protesters gathered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital and at least one other city, defying a ban on demonstrations against the president’s plans to stay in office past the end of his term on Monday. Security forces blocked access to Kinshasa University, facing off against groups waving red cards telling President Joseph Kabila to go, … Read more
Democratic Republic of Congo’s main opposition bloc said on Saturday it was not planning a march against President Joseph Kabila when his mandate expires on Monday, a decision that could defuse anticipated protests. The opposition accuses Kabila of trying to cling to power, and the decision not to stage a mass protest was announced hours … Read more
Since the end of the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003, the family of the outgoing President Joseph Kabila is reported to have flourished by owning at least 70 companies. According to a Bloomberg report published on Thursday, December 15, 2016, the scope the Kabila empire has recently become visible after … Read more