...formerly the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Zaire, and who knows what else, not to be confused with the Brazzaville Congo aka Republic of Congo, which is much smaller and much more (for Africa) stable. DRC gave the world Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Mobutu, followed by years of tedious civil war. Its principle industry seems to be the production of corpses. With a population of about 74 million it has lots of raw material...
goes to the polls, the opposition leader Moise Katumbi has broadened his campaigns in a bid to win the country's top seat.
While campaigning in the capital Kinshasa, Katumbi promised to 'liberate the country' on Congolese election day.
In front of thousands of supporters, opposition presidential candidate Moïse Katumbi promised to liberate the country by giving jobs to young people and lowering the US dollar rate during his rally in the capital Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"I've come to change the country, I've come to liberate the country, sons of the Congo, what are we going to liberate together? (Audience response: The country), what's the date? (Audience response: the 20th). They say they don't have the money to rent planes, I said I'd give them the money to organize the elections, did I do wrong? (Audience response: No)," he said.
His opponents also raised the question of his nationality, at the heart of a controversy raised mid-week by Defense Minister and former warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba, who insinuated that he was a Zambian.
"They say I'm a foreigner (Audience response: No). Who are the foreigners (Audience response: Them). Who have made over 666 trips abroad (Audience response: Them)," Katumbi said.
A wealthy businessman and owner of the famous "Tout Puissant Mazembe" soccer club, Moïse Katumbi is the former governor (2007-2015) of the mining province of Katanga, the country's economic powerhouse.
Related:
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2023-12-09 East African force begins withdrawal from DRC
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2023-12-04 East DRC: Commencement of East African Regional Force Withdrawal Amidst Criticisms
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2023-11-28 DR Congo, UN sign peacekeeper withdrawal plan
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2023-12-09 East African force begins withdrawal from DRC
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2023-12-04 East DRC: Commencement of East African Regional Force Withdrawal Amidst Criticisms
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2023-11-28 DR Congo, UN sign peacekeeper withdrawal plan
Related:
Moise Katumbi: 2023-10-31 DRC top court confirms opposition leader's Congolese nationality
Moise Katumbi: 2023-07-20 Bodyguard questioned in DR Congo politician's death: prosecutor
Moise Katumbi: 2016-12-21 Sustained gunfire heard in DR Congo's second city Lubumbashi
Moise Katumbi: 2023-10-31 DRC top court confirms opposition leader's Congolese nationality
Moise Katumbi: 2023-07-20 Bodyguard questioned in DR Congo politician's death: prosecutor
Moise Katumbi: 2016-12-21 Sustained gunfire heard in DR Congo's second city Lubumbashi
Related:
Kinshasa: 2023-12-09 East African force begins withdrawal from DRC
Kinshasa: 2023-12-04 East DRC: Commencement of East African Regional Force Withdrawal Amidst Criticisms
Kinshasa: 2023-11-18 DRC's deputy prosecutor breaks down the ICC's sluggish pace with precision
Kinshasa: 2023-12-09 East African force begins withdrawal from DRC
Kinshasa: 2023-12-04 East DRC: Commencement of East African Regional Force Withdrawal Amidst Criticisms
Kinshasa: 2023-11-18 DRC's deputy prosecutor breaks down the ICC's sluggish pace with precision