Sunday 22 November 2015

Congo-Kinshasa: Kabila Seeks Mugabe Help to Retain Power

Congo-Kinshasa: Kabila Seeks Mugabe Help to Retain Power

22/11/2015




Harare — TOP government officials say Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila wants Zimbabwe to assist him circumvent the constitutional requirement that he steps down after serving two terms as president, amid growing unrest caused by his bid to stay in power.
 
Kabila, who visited Zimbabwe last week, took over power in 2001 when his father, Laurent Kabila, was assassinated and went on to win disputed elections in 2006 and 2011.
 
However, the DRC constitution (Article 220) clearly stipulates that the president cannot seek a third term after his second presidential mandate.
 
"The republican form of the State, the principle of universal suffrage, the representative form of government, the number and length of the terms of office of the President of the Republic, the independence of the Judicial Power, the pluralism of political parties and trade unions may not form the object of a constitutional amendment," reads article 220 of the DRC constitution.
Despite this, Kabila has attempted to extend his stay in power.

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