Congo's outgoing president Kabila doesn't rule out running again in 2023

Record ID: 1367438

  • Title: Congo's outgoing president Kabila doesn't rule out running again in 2023
  • Date: 9th December 2018
  • Summary: KINSHASA, DRC (DECEMBER 9, 2018) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PRESIDENT OF DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, JOSEPH KABILA, ENTERING HIS OFFICE AND SITTING DOWN FOR INTERVIEW KABILA SEEN ON CAMERA SCREEN DURING INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, JOSEPH KABILA, SAYING: "What will be my role after I step down? My role
  • Embargoed: 23rd December 2018 15:44
  • Keywords: Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila elections Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary DRC
  • Location: KINSHASA, DRC
  • City: KINSHASA, DRC
  • Country: Congo, Democratic Republic of the
  • Reuters ID: LVA0019A82ZIF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The president of Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, plans to stay in politics when he steps down after elections on Dec. 23 and does not rule out running again for president in 2023, he told Reuters in an interview on Sunday (December 9).
    The long-delayed elections will mark Congo's first democratic transfer of power and an end to Kabila's rule that began in 2001 after the assassination of his father.
    Kabila, 47, was due to step down in 2016 at the end of his constitutional mandate. But the election to replace him was repeatedly delayed, igniting protests in which dozens were killed.
    Until recently it was unclear if he would seek a third consecutive term. He will be eligible to run again in 2023 after a break.
    The delay in elections has coincided with a breakdown in security across much of the mineral-rich country. Militants fight over land and resources in the east near the border with Uganda and Rwanda. The violence has allowed an Ebola outbreak to spread to become the second largest ever recorded.
    International observers say insecurity will make holding elections difficult in the vast equatorial country and create the opportunity for Kabila's coalition to cheat, especially with the use of new voting machines. Kabila said Congo is ready and that the polls will be fair.
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