DRC: Katumbi, long time ally of Kabila joins opposition

Moise Katumbi, former ally to President Joseph Kabila, has joined the opposition party in the country, three months after he resigned from the ruling party, People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD).

At a news conference on Sunday, Katumbi announced that he is now a member of the Citizen Front 2016. The party’s membership is made up of Congolese in the diaspora, political organizations and civil society opposed to a third term of President Joseph Kabila.

“The purpose of the Citizen Front is first to insist on the provincial elections of 2016 and the 2016 presidential election by respecting the constitutional deadlines and have the electoral calendar, as soon as possible “ said Katumbi.

He also announced discussions for a single candidate of the opposition in the election scheduled for November 27, 2016.

“I met Felix Tshisekedi. I met a lot of people. I also met many opponents at the Katanga province. We are in talks to have an opposition candidate “ said Katumbi

Katumbi broke ties with the head of state and left the ruling party,PPRD, in late September. Unconfirmed reports suggest the former governor of Katanga could run for the next presidential election against President Joseph Kabila.