DRC peace deal: Katumbi salutes Kabila for respecting constitution

Former Governor of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Katanga province, Moise Katumbi, has spoken over the recent political deal brokered by the Catholic Church on the last day of 2016.

Katumbi, a former ally of the incumbent Joseph Kabila, issued a statement on Tuesday from his base in Belgium. He flew to Belgium from South Africa where he had gone to receive medical attention.

Katumbi in his message whiles thanking the Church for their role in the peace deal that was signed recently said he was happy that Kabila agreed not to flout constitutional provisions by pushing for a third tenure.

‘‘I would like to thank the President of the Republic who is intent on not running for the third consecutive term as stipulated by our constitution, a document that all Congolese want to be respected,’‘ he said.

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[LIVE] DRC Crisis – 'Historic deal' reached, Kabila to exit end of 2017 https://t.co/kYwfYahAl1

— africanews (@africanews) December 23, 2016

Katumbi is seen as one of the main opposition candidates that could be fielded in elections later this year. The TP Mazembe bankroller is however a potential prisoner if he returns to the country. Two courts have jailed him for offences his lawyers say are frivolous and politically motivated.

Voici ma réaction suite à l'accord historique & inclusif du 31/12. Bravo à la #CENCO & merci à tous ceux qui ont œuvré à son aboutissement. pic.twitter.com/qVJfipIKxE

— Moise Katumbi (@moise_katumbi) January 3, 2017