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KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — President Joseph Kabila of Congo has named a former leading member of the main opposition coalition as his prime minister, but the appointment seems unlikely to resolve the country’s political crisis or satisfy the opposition, analysts say.
Late last year, Mr. Kabila reached a compromise agreement with the opposition under which he would step down and hold free elections by the end of this year. Under term limits, he should have left office in December 2016.
But not long after that deal was reached, one of the prime negotiators and the main opposition leader, Étienne Tshisekedi, died, and a power struggle erupted over who should succeed him atop the opposition coalition, known as Rassemblement.
On Friday, Mr. Kabila appointed Bruno Tshibala as prime minister in a transitional government that is to organize the next presidential election. Mr. Tshibala had been a key player in the opposition coalition but was ousted after he clashed with Mr. Tshisekedi’s son and successor, Felix.
Israel Mutala, a political analyst, said Mr. Tshibala’s appointment “risks exacerbating” the political crisis and was likely to increase divisions within the opposition. Mr. Kabila’s move “gave power to a fringe minority” of the opposition, Mr. Mutala said, and seemed to undermine the spirit of the agreement reached in December, the details of which have still not been fully carried out.
The deal had called for the opposition coalition to pick the prime minister, but Mr. Kabila said this past week that he would appoint someone to the post because of internal divisions in the coalition. The appointment of Mr. Tshibala seems to be a further departure from the deal.
A presidential spokesman, Alain-André Atundu, praised the appointment of Mr. Tshibala, saying that Mr. Kabila was demonstrating his “determination to standardize the electoral process” and live up to the December agreement.
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But divisions within the coalition over the appointment could further delay efforts to organize an election and help Mr. Kabila fend off challenges to his power.
On Saturday, a European Union delegation in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Mr. Kabila’s move was “contrary to the letter and spirit” of the compromise agreement.
The delegation’s statement noted the “lack of consensus on this appointment” and expressed “great concern” over the matter.
“The restoration of a broad national consensus for a government mandated for elections before the end of the year is at the heart of the agreement,” the statement said.
Maître Peter Kazadi, who was an adviser to Étienne Tshisekedi, said Mr. Kabila “has shown his willingness to remain in power beyond the agreed period,” and he called for demonstrations on Monday to protest delays in organizing the election.
“The Congolese people will take charge,” Mr. Kazadi said.
Continue reading the main story
Pact Would Force Out Joseph Kabila From Congo. If, of Course, He Agrees. JAN. 3, 2017
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KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — President Joseph Kabila of Congo has named a former leading member of the main opposition coalition as his prime minister, but the appointment seems unlikely to resolve the country’s political crisis or satisfy the opposition, analysts say.
Late last year, Mr. Kabila reached a compromise agreement with the opposition under which he would step down and hold free elections by the end of this year. Under term limits, he should have left office in December 2016.
But not long after that deal was reached, one of the prime negotiators and the main opposition leader, Étienne Tshisekedi, died, and a power struggle erupted over who should succeed him atop the opposition coalition, known as Rassemblement.
On Friday, Mr. Kabila appointed Bruno Tshibala as prime minister in a transitional government that is to organize the next presidential election. Mr. Tshibala had been a key player in the opposition coalition but was ousted after he clashed with Mr. Tshisekedi’s son and successor, Felix.
Israel Mutala, a political analyst, said Mr. Tshibala’s appointment “risks exacerbating” the political crisis and was likely to increase divisions within the opposition. Mr. Kabila’s move “gave power to a fringe minority” of the opposition, Mr. Mutala said, and seemed to undermine the spirit of the agreement reached in December, the details of which have still not been fully carried out.
The deal had called for the opposition coalition to pick the prime minister, but Mr. Kabila said this past week that he would appoint someone to the post because of internal divisions in the coalition. The appointment of Mr. Tshibala seems to be a further departure from the deal.
A presidential spokesman, Alain-André Atundu, praised the appointment of Mr. Tshibala, saying that Mr. Kabila was demonstrating his “determination to standardize the electoral process” and live up to the December agreement.
The Interpreter Newsletter
Understand the world with sharp insight and commentary on the major news stories of the week.
Receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services.
But divisions within the coalition over the appointment could further delay efforts to organize an election and help Mr. Kabila fend off challenges to his power.
On Saturday, a European Union delegation in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Mr. Kabila’s move was “contrary to the letter and spirit” of the compromise agreement.
The delegation’s statement noted the “lack of consensus on this appointment” and expressed “great concern” over the matter.
“The restoration of a broad national consensus for a government mandated for elections before the end of the year is at the heart of the agreement,” the statement said.
Maître Peter Kazadi, who was an adviser to Étienne Tshisekedi, said Mr. Kabila “has shown his willingness to remain in power beyond the agreed period,” and he called for demonstrations on Monday to protest delays in organizing the election.
“The Congolese people will take charge,” Mr. Kazadi said.
Continue reading the main story
Pact Would Force Out Joseph Kabila From Congo. If, of Course, He Agrees. JAN. 3, 2017
RELATED
