ASSESSMENTS
Congo's New President May Have the Title, But His Predecessor Has the Power
Mar 8, 2019 | 10:00 GMT
(JOHN WESSELS/AFP/Getty Images)
Highlights
- Mounting evidence indicates that the Democratic Republic of the Congo's new president, Felix Tshisekedi, won the election due to his predecessor, Joseph Kabila.
- Kabila's ruling coalition also won control of the country's national and provincial legislatures in the last election, furthering the former leader's plan to secure influence over the country's government and mining sector.
- Tshisekedi will, therefore, be forced to work within the confines of a political system that remains largely loyal to the former regime.
- Given this reality, the new president will form a sort of joint regime with his predecessor, which will entail upholding Kabila's hardball tactics against international mining companies to increase government revenue.
Subscribe Now
SubscribeAlready have an account?