Katumbi vows to return to the DRC soon despite 'political trial'

Moise Katumbi, a leading opposition figure in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has stated that he would return to the country to partake in the political process despite what he termed ‘a political and grotesque’ trial.

Katumbi was responding to questions fielded to him via a LIVE question and answer session on social media platform Twitter. People could ask questions using the hashtag #AskMoise.

‘’(Despite) the political and grotesque trial, I’m running and I will go till the end. It’s my right as a Congolese citizen. I’ll be back soon,’‘ his tweet read.

Procès politique et grotesque. Je suis candidat et irai au bout. C’est mon droit de citoyen congolais. Je serai bientôt de retour.

— Moise Katumbi (@moise_katumbi) August 19, 2016

I won’t speak for Kabila

One question sought his view on why Kabila still wanted to stay in power. Katumbi said he could not speak for Kabila but added that the president has the opportunity to exit through the front door, referring to elections scheduled for later this year when Kabila’s second term ends.

There is an uncertainty over the holding of the polls with the opposition claiming Kabila is doing everything possible to hold on to power.

Other responses to #AskMoise

Other responses Katumbi gave to queries included the fact that the Congolese consitution does not implore people to take arms against the government but the same document requires them to deal with any installation of dictatorship.

He recently accused the the Kabila-led government of taking the country towards absolute dictatorship when they refused to renew the visa of a human rights worker with Human Rights Watch.

He further outlined his plans for the development of the DRC in areas of security, economy and issues of human rights. He rebuffed financial misappropriation claims insisting that he had left Katanga a better province.

Why Katumbi left the DRC

Katumbi left the DRC first to South Africa before being flown to Europe to seek medical treatment after he inhaled tear gas fumes fired by police when he appeared before a Lumubashi prosecutor with his supporters to answer to charges of hiring mercenaries.

The TP Mazembe bankroller was recently sentenced to 36 months in prison in absentia in a case of property appropriation. The case was brought by a Greek man. Katumbi’s lawyers denied their client had a hand in the issue.