Bemba says Katumbi should be allowed to run for president
Radio Okapi - August 4, 2018
Jean-Pierre Bemba during a press conference in Kinshasa on 8.3.2018 | Enlarge
Reacting to the news that Moise Katumbi has been refused entry at the DR Congo and Zambia border crossing in Kasumbalesa, Jean-Pierre Bemba called on Friday on Congolese authorities to de-escalate the situation. The elections must be inclusive, and, at this stage, the unity and cohesion of the country must be strengthened, Jean-Pierre Bemba said during a press conference in Kinshasa.
The MLC leader called on the authorities to promote inclusive elections:
"Moise Katumbi is a major political player in this country. He has supporters. I think it is not good to exclude opponents, political actors; especially when the primary sovereign is the only one who can decide who should be his leader. I appeal to the authorities of the country to de-escalate the situation and ensure that the upcoming elections are inclusive."
Jean-Pierre Bemba said that a solution must be found for Moise Katumbi to return to the country to participate freely in the elections.
Moise Katumbi and his delegation are stranded in Zambia. The opposition leader had arrived at the border between Zambia and the DRC this Friday, August 3 at 1pm local time.
Sources in Kasumbalesa indicate that the former governor of Katanga was stranded for a long time in the neutral zone, surrounded by thousands of his supporters.
On the Congolese side, there was no service at the border post, which was closed. Meanwhile, in Kasumbalesa, the police dispersed protesters with tear gas.
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• Felix Tshisekedi Vows to Be the President of All Congolese (January 10, 2019)
• Martin Fayulu Rejects Presidential Election Results (January 10, 2019)
• Felix Tshisekedi Elected DR Congo President (January 10, 2019)
• Bemba, Katumbi renew their support for joint opposition presidential candidate Fayulu (November 16, 2018)
• Vital Kamerhe also withdraws support for joint opposition presidential bid (November 12, 2018)
• Felix Tshisekedi withdraws support for joint opposition presidential bid (November 12, 2018)
• Oppositioin leaders pick Martin Fayulu as joint presidential candidate (November 11, 2018)
• Jean-Pierre Bemba banned from running for president (August 25, 2018)
• Vital Kamerhe named UNC presidential candidate (August 4, 2018)
• Moise Katumbi blocked from entering DR Congo (August 3, 2018)
• Jean-Pierre Bemba Returns to DR Congo (August 1, 2018)
• Jean-Pierre Bemba named MLC presidential candidate (July 13, 2018)
• Botswana Urges Joseph Kabila to Step Down (February 26, 2018)
• No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
• US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
• Presidential election scheduled for December 23, 2018 (November 5, 2017)
• Felix Tshisekedi accuses INEC of illegally prolonging Kabila's mandate (October 24, 2017)
• DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Candidate Moise Katumbi (May 19, 2016)
• Rights Groups: DR Congo Must Free Pro-democracy Activists (April 13, 2015)
• Electoral commission sets DR Congo presidential election date (February 12, 2015)
• Police Open Fire on Crowd Protesting Election Law Change (January 19, 2015)
• AS Vita's Firmin Mubele Wins CAF African Player of the Year Award (January 8, 2015)
• ICC Case Against Bemba Wrapping Up as Another Opens (November 12, 2014)
• Etienne Tshisekedi Evacuated to Belgium for Medical Treatment (August 16, 2014)
• DR Congo Takes Chairmanship of COMESA at Summit in Kinshasa (February 26, 2014)
• Jean-Pierre Bemba
• MLC
• Moise Katumbi
• Zambia