Skip to main content

Joseph Kabila Still Powerful and Influential in the Politics of Congo.


Joseph Kabila, the gentleman farmer.

https://www.facebook.com/1829407613953796

Officially, he stepped down in January 2019, retiring after 18 years at the helm of the biggest country in sub-Saharan Africa.

But nearly 18 months on, former president Joseph Kabila remains a powerful figure, wielding influence in the murky politics of the Democratic Republic of Congo through a network of followers and a forced coalition with his successor.

“Kabila, come back quickly so we can restore order,” his supporters chanted on Thursday as they marched in Kinshasa, where the coalition with backers of President Felix Tshisekedi is in trouble and heads are rolling.

Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga has publicly denounced a decision by Tshisekedi to replace two pillars of the former Kabila regime: the army’s inspector general and the president of the Constitutional Court.

Kabila handed the presidency to Tshisekedi after elections in December 2018, in the first peaceful transfer of power since independence from Belgium nearly 60 years earlier.

Still only 49 despite his years at the top, Kabila lives on a farm at Kingakati, 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the capital, surrounded by wildlife ranging from lions to antelopes.

In a zoo open to the public, Kabila takes selfies with visitors he sometimes bumps into on Sundays.

The man who once ruled the sprawling DRC during a brutal regional war now goes out with just “two or three bodyguards”, according to an aide.

Low-key by nature, Kabila has made no political utterances and has avoided public appearances, even when meeting with Tshisekedi to try to ease the tensions in their uneasy cohabitation.

No information was released about their last meeting at the beginning of July.

But he remains the driving force in his Common Front for Congo (FCC) political group — a veritable war machine that he set up before leaving office.

In the same elections that brought Tshisekedi to power, the FCC won a commanding majority in parliament, forcing Tshisekedi’s supporters into the role of junior partners in what has become a deeply troubled coalition.

Kabila placed the FCC leadership in the hands of his former chief of staff, Nehemie Mwilanya, who hails as he does from the Swahili-speaking east of the country.

Mwilanya acknowledges that “the chief” receives FCC officials on his ranch. “There are courtesy visits and there are visits to seek advice,” he said.

“He manages his political family on a day-to-day basis,” a former presidential adviser told AFP.

‘Balance of power’

The former head of state has never ruled out a return to the political stage.

“In life as in politics, I exclude nothing,” he told the foreign press in December 2018, just before his retirement.

Kabila left office two years after his second and last constitutional term expired. He was under pressure from foreign partners of the DR Congo, including the United States and the European Union, as well as demonstrators.

Kabila’s many foes, who have faced brutal repression, feared he would seize a third mandate by force, but elections took place after three postponements.

Earlier this month, three street protests were called by a spectrum of political and social forces including Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS).

One of their grievances was the choice of a new election chief who has been accused of rigging elections in favour of Kabila.

Thursday’s heated protest was launched after Tshisekedi sacked two strongmen of the former regime.

Kabila supporters see their role as containing Tshisekedi’s influence in the name of “a balance of power”.

Some argue that nothing stops him coming back. The next elections are due in 2023.

“The constitution bans three consecutive terms, but it says nothing about a possible return after a gap of five years,” a former adviser said.

Kabila’s right-hand man Mwilanya, a lawyer, is firmer still: “The constitutional rules are clear. They impose no restrictions on him per se.”



https://osutayusuf.blogspot.com/2020/07/joseph-kabila-still-powerful-and.html

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Escaped Murder Suspect Finally Arrested in Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, Yumbe District.

Story by Osuta Yusuf. 19-November-2024. 📸: Eyotre Kennedy handcuffed on bed while receiving medication this morning at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital in Yumbe District. Eyotre Kennedy originating from Etoko village, Nyoroo Parish, Nyadri Sub-county in Maracha District who has for many years been terrorizing residents in his village, has finally been arrested this Monday morning 19-November-2024 while receiving treatment at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital in Yumbe District following injuries he sustained from Theft mission on Saturday night 16-November-2024 in Owapi village, Azapi parish in Odupi Sub-county, Terego East Constituency in Terego District. Click here on the link  https://informationispowah.blogspot.com/2024/11/fugitive-who-chopped-3-people-killed.html   to read the story on his Theft of Goats in Terego. Upon getting cut on the finger and leg by the Mob as he attempted to fight and overpower owner of the goats he attempted to steal on Saturday night ...

41-Years-Old Man Digs His Own Grave in Maracha District.

Story by Osuta Yusuf.  Maracha District.  📸: The grave been dug by Mr Opiga Michael, a victim of frustration. Photo taken by Osuta Yusuf , on Wednesday 11-September-2024. The residents of Ebapi village, Baria Parish in Nyadri Sub-county, Maracha east constituency, Maracha District are in shock after a 41 year old man started digging his own grave. The man, identified as Mr Opiga Michael, who seems to be frustrated over some challenges in life, started digging his own grave on Tuesday 10-September-2024 until he was stopped by the elders in Nyaria clan. 📸: Opiga Michael, the Victim of Frustration. Photo by Osuta Yusuf , Information is Power. While speaking to our reporter on Wednesday evening 11-September-2024, Mr Opiga Michael, said, his main plan  was to commit suicide after finishing digging the grave for burying himself, explained that, he feels frustrated, abandoned and hated by his own clan people, whom he accused of piling lies against him a...

Wedded Ayivu West MP Lematia John Fights Over Another Woman.

  📸: Hon Lematia John. By URN. Police in Arua district are investigating a case of assault and threatening violence involving the Member of Parliament for Ayivu West Constituency John Lematia and James Ariko, a DSTV technician in Arua city. Drama ensued on Easter Sunday 31-3-2024 at Dream Land Hotel located at Kuluva trading center along Arua-Nebbi highway in Arua district when the legislator and the technician engaged in a fight reportedly over a woman identified as Faith Eyotaru 25, a relationship officer at Victoria University Kampala. The scuffle started after Ayivu West Mp John Lematia went to swim at Dreamland Hotel with Faith Eyotaru only to find Ariko, who had gone to the same hotel earlier. However, upon seeing the duo coming out of the vehicle, Ariko confronted Lematia with both men claiming to be having a relationship with the lady. It took the intervention of the staff at the hotel who intervened and separated the fight between the men. Josephine Angucia, the West Nil...