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Congo is sovereign and capable of managing our affairs – Kabila jabs interferers

Democratic Republic Of Congo

President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Joseph Kabila, has warned against foreign interference in the affairs of the country. According to him, the DRC was a sovereign nation and it would fight to protect its sovereignty.

Kabila was speaking in an address to the Congolese parliament on Tuesday. He is quoted by Reuters news agency to have said, “The Congolese have shown that they can responsibly resolve their differences,” Kabila told lawmakers.

“I warn against and denounce all interference in Congolese affairs. Our country … has a right to have its sovereignty respected, and we will never give that up,” he added. In apparent reference to a United Nations Security Council team that visited the country pushing for political concessions as tensions rise in the country.

Kabila also took a swipe at the main opposition groups who he blames for recent deadly violence that rocked the capital, Kinshasa.

“No political agenda will justify violence, still less the loss of human life,” he said, before adding that, “Trying to take power by the blood of the Congolese people is morally condemnable.”

As part of political reforms in an African Union (AU) brokered peace deal, the government agreed to include a section of the opposition in the cabinet, whiles elections ordinarily slated for December as the tenure of Kabila expires are postponed till 2018.

The postponement according to the electoral body is to allow the compilation of a credible voters register and to also adequately prepare to organize the polls. The main opposition group – the Rally – led by Etienne Tshisekedi have rejected the AU deal.

The country’s Prime Minister and cabinet resigned on Monday to pave way for the appointment of a new leader of government by the opposition. Opponents have accused Kabila of doing all it takes to remain in power beyond his second and last term.

He hinted that even though the constitution, which he respected, did not have a place for a third term in office. The constitution was a document that could be amended if need be. This was during his recent meeting with the UN team.

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