DRC: Joseph Kabila will not seek a third term

Democratic Republic of Congo Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala said President Joseph Kabila is not planning to run in the upcoming presidential elections.

In an interview with Stephen Sackur during the BBC Hardtalk program, Bruno Tshibala confirmed that the elections will be held as scheduled in December this year and that President Kabila will not seek a third term, in accordance with the country’s constitution.

“The President is just waiting for the elections to hand over, in a civilized and peaceful way, for the first time in the history of the country,” he said.

He also stressed that the Congolese security forces had succeeded in restoring peace in some areas and dismantling the Kasai militias that were causing trouble.

Joseph Kabila’s second and last term came to an end in December 2016, but he and his government have repeatedly postponed new elections.

In recent months, the International Federation of Human Rights and several NGOs have accused Kabila of being responsible for the uncertainty in the country that he could use as an argument to postpone the elections. An accusation that Mr. Tshibala rejected.

“On the contrary, President Kabila has, as commander of the army, sent his troops to Kasai and the east of the country. These accusations are not right.