'Exiled' Katumbi releases independence day statement, calls for timely elections

Exiled opposition presidential candidate in the Democratic Republic of Congo has released a statement on the occasion of the country’s 56th independence anniversary (June 30).

He posted a message on his official twitter handle congratulating the people of Congo for the milestone of having chalked 56 years since gaining political independence.

Katumbi despite being in away in London seeking medical treatment also called for timely elections as the second term of the incumbent Joseph Kabila draw to an end later this year.

His call for timely elections is in line with international organizations, civil society groups and governments that are pushing for president Kabila to stand down when his tenure expires and to duly oversee a transfer of power.

Chers amis, voici ma déclaration en ce jour de l'indépendance en #RDC. Très bonne fête à tous mes compatriotes! pic.twitter.com/5C2MPkNDNg

— Moise Katumbi (@moise_katumbi) June 30, 2016

Moise Katumbi was recently sentenced to 36 months in prison in absentia. He was found guilty in a recent case of property appropriation. The case was brought by a Greek national who claimed Katumbi forcibly took away his property. Katumbi’s lawyers denied their client had a hand in the issue.

There is a substantive case of hiring mercenaries that is hanging around Katumbi, his health deteriorated after he had inhaled tear gas fumes after police tried to disperse a crowd that had accompanied him during his third appearance before the prosecutor in Lumumbashi.