DR Congo opposition leader Moise Katumbi vows to return for presidential vote

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s opposition figure Moise Katumbi, who is currently in exile, has vowed to return to the country to vie for the presidency.


Katumbi, a former ally of President Joseph Kabila, currently resides in Belgium. He left the Central African country earlier this year after accusations of recruiting mercenaries to overthrow the government were lodged against him.

He was convicted in absentia of illegally selling a property and sentenced to 36 months in prison.
The BBC reports that he is currently in the United Kingdom.
“I am a Congolese citizen, I will go home and I am running for president. The charges of plotting against the government are a distraction,” the BBC reports him to say from London.

The DR Congo has been hit by anti-government protests as opposition leaders accuse President Kabila of plotting to delay the elections slated for November so that he can cling onto power.
The country’s electoral body says the elections cannot be held in November due to logistical reasons.