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
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
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
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
Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has named a new prime minister. Kabila picked opposition lawmaker Badibanga Ntita Samy to lead the unity government that will run the country until postponed elections are held. The elections, which originally had been slated for this month, are now provisionally scheduled for April 2018. The previous government … Read more