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DR Congo: Inclusive political agreement finally adopted and signed in Kinshasa

Democratic Republic Of Congo

After a bitter and long negotiation, the comprehensive and inclusive political peace agreement of the DR Congo has been indeed adopted at the capital Kinshasa.

The text was then signed at a solemn ceremony by representatives of different parties.

Alongside the opposition party that signed the October 18 agreement, the camp of President Joseph Kabila and that of the historic opponent Étienne Tshisekedi reached an agreement on the consensual management of the country until the next elections.

Only the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) and its allies of the Constitutional Front refused to sign the agreement, denouncing a conspiracy for the nation .

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“The second and last term of office of the President of the Republic which was completed on 19 December 2016 is not renewable, the head of the State will not seek a third mandate. The presidential, legislative, national and provincial elections will be held before the end of December 2017,” said Marcel Utembi Representative of Episcopal.

“It is the extension of this consensus that we had found in the city of the African Union that it was felt little inclusive Unfortunately, even this agreement is not as inclusive as we would have desired, because the idea for the respect of the democracy is not there, “ said Lambert Mendé Spokesman for the Government.

Under the new political compromise, President Joseph Kabila whose second and final constitutional mandate could have ended on December 19 remains the head of the country. He will be replaced only after the election of his successor, and this will take place by the end of December 2017.

This will be four months earlier than the deadline stipulated in the first agreement signed two months ago at the OAU City under the facilitation of the Togolese Edem Kodjo.

“We have [got] the main thing: we have the commitment of President Kabila not to represent himself, that of his side not to touch the Constitution, neither revising it nor going to a referendum,” said Felix Tshisekedi, Rally Officer.

Congo-Kinshasa: UN Welcomes Signing of Political Agreement On Elections in DR Congo https://t.co/18EddADhqE

— Blue Marble (@ourbluemarble) January 1, 2017

According to him, the opposition has also been given the opportunity to take stock of its delegates in the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), and if necessary to replace them.

The document also establishes a government of national unity. According to MP Delly Sesanga, who took part in the final adjustments of the agreement, the new government team will be headed by a Prime Minister proposed by the Rally

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