Congo-A House Of Cards

 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

A House of Cards

Allies of former Congolese President Joseph Kabila on Monday condemned President Felix Tshisekedi’s plan to form a new coalition government, a move that could spark political violence in the resource-rich but unstable and conflict-ridden African country, Reuters reported.

On Sunday, Tshisekedi said he wanted to form a new coalition in the hopes of ending the political deadlock with Kabila’s Common Front for Congo (FCC) political alliance, which holds a majority of seats in parliament and most of the posts in the cabinet.

He added that new elections might be necessary if he fails to form a new majority. The FCC called the move “dictatorial,” saying that the president was violating the constitution.

The dispute is sparking fears over violence breaking out between the supporters of each group.

The two leaders formed a shaky coalition following disputed elections in 2018 but Kabila’s supporters have hampered Tshisekedi’s attempts to implement much-needed reforms, according to Agence France-Presse.

Kabila, who served 18 years as president, still holds considerable influence in the Central African country. Tshisekedi took over from Kabila in January 2019, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s first peaceful transition since independence from Belgium in 1960.