DR Congo's government rejects church's role in mediation talks

DRC’s ruling coalition has dismissed the Congolese Catholic Church’s role as mediator in peace talks between the government and opposition.

According to the spokesman for the presidential majority, the National Episcopal Conference of Congo is no longer credible to conduct the negotiations between the two political extremes.

This comes after the bishops denounced the appointment of Bruno Tshibala as prime minister, saying the appointment was not in line with the agreement reached on New Year’s eve.

The Bishops further said that the appointment of the new PM was a political compromise and will further delay the planned December 2017 presidential election.

They also cited flaws in the appointment arguing that the opposition leaders were not consulted on the candidate for the position as it was agreed during the dialogue.

Under the December agreement, the opposition coalition was to pick a prime minister, but divisions within the coalition complicated efforts to choose a candidate.