DR Congo opposition calls elections 'overdue'

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - The Democratic Republic of Congo’s political opposition gave mixed reviews to Sunday’s announcement setting a Dec. 31 date for elections, calling them long overdue, and stressing the need to end the presidency of Joseph Kabila.

Nelson Nkwekwe, a mobilizer in the opposition coalition, told Anadolu Agency on Monday: ''Kabila has overstayed. He was supposed to leave office last December. He should leave now.''

''No matter the announcement. It is the death knell of this evil regime. The time has come to chase out Joseph Kabila,’’ said opposition coalition Felix Tshisekedi on Twitter on Sunday.

Presidential hopeful Moise Katumbi, currently in exile in Europe, tweeted a message rejecting the date for elections, saying: ''This predatory regime wants to prolong instability and the misery of the people. We do not accept this whimsical calendar. Kabila has to leave.’’

But Aubin Minaku, president of the National Assembly, said that the Congolese people should rejoice because they are finally going to the polls.

Elections were supposed to be held last year but Kabila refused to leave office, saying that elections could not take place because most people had not been registered.