DRC marred with deadly violence

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been marred by violence for the second day now leading to the death of more than thirty people. This comes as President Joseph Kabila announces the extension of his term. 

President Kabila whose term in office was due on 19th December 2016 cited financial constraints that the country has and problems with the electoral roll that needs to be updated, as the things that have made it impossible to hold a credible election this year. In an effort to silence the opposition he appointed Samy Badibanga to be the country’s prime minister after Augustin Matata, who resigned from the same position two days ago.

It has been a rough time for the president as the opposition under the leadership of Moise Katumbi has vowed to soldier on in ensuring that Kabila is out of office. Katumbi, the former governor of the southern province of Katanga told Kabila to respect the country’s constitution and leave the office peacefully. He also said that by him clinging on power will make the nation experience more chaos which will lead to the death and displacement of people. Already more than thirty people have died as close other two million get displaced.

While addressing parliament yesterday Kabila said that elections would be postponed until April 2018. He said that this will help the country to plan for the elections and ensure proper transition takes place. Kabila warned those who have joined forces with foreigners in interfering with the running DRC affairs. According to him, he means well to the country and as the president, he knows the country is economically hurt and not in a position to incur election cost. He lashed on the European Union and the United States in meddling in the state's affairs.

The EU and the U.S. have already issued sanctions to DRC in an effort to force Kabila out of power. This second largest country in Africa has rich mineral resources which Kabila claim the U.S is interested in. Kabila came to power in 2001, after the assassination of his father, Laurent Kabila who was the then president.

Elsewhere Gambia’s president-elect Adama Barrow has said that he is going to treat outgoing President Yahya Jammeh like a former head of state and he will closely work with him as long as he honours his defeat. Yahya had earlier on conceded defeat only to challenge the election results later own.