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With Kabila’s Withdrawal, Congo’s Presidential Race Starts to Take Shape

With Kabila’s Withdrawal, Congo’s Presidential Race Starts to Take Shape
Congolese President Joseph Kabila speaks during the state of the nation address to lawmakers, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 19, 2018 (AP photo by John Bompengo).

Editor’s Note: Every Friday, WPR Senior Editor Robbie Corey-Boulet curates the top news and analysis from and about the African continent.

After keeping his country in suspense for well over three years, Congolese President Joseph Kabila finally made clear this week that he does not intend to run for a third term. Government spokesman Lambert Mende announced the decision on Wednesday, the last day for candidates to file papers with the election commission.

Kabila’s term officially ended in December 2016. But well before that, beginning in January 2015, Congo had been hit with periodic protests organized by government critics who urged him to abide by the presidential term limit spelled out in the constitution.

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