WHY IN RDC

Kabila, the next Compaoré?

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kabila seems to cling to power despite a constitution limiting the number of mandates and stipulating that the provision "can be no constitutional amendment." Ignoring the African aspirations for greater democracy, the Congolese president did not hesitate to make a step towards autocracy.

In the next 18 months, some of the greatest African leaders (Pierre Nkurunziza in Burundi, Denis Sassou-Ngouesso Congo Brazzaville ...) will face their destiny, their Constitution, which sets a number-two-term limit presidential, their order to go. Will they, on retiring, African sages that accompany the awakening of Africa, praised and announced by all observers? Or will they, like old African lions or elephants, the gravediggers of their fledgling democracies?

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a regional power that raises all desires (for its immense natural resources) and all concerns (in a country of 77 million inhabitants with domestic violence homes and neighborhood relations disturbances), President Joseph Kabila appears to have made its choice: to impose his people (and the international community!) by changing the 2006 Constitution (hers yet!), by muzzling the political opposition, by being re-elected President of the Republic in November 2016 even ignite the country and the region!

Having succeeded his father in 2001, after being re-elected in conditions challenged in 2006 and 2011, Kabila is clearly preparing to re-enlist for a fourth round!

Step number 1: violate the law and the Constitution. Last January, Kabila tried to change the electoral law with an article stipulating that elections could be held until the end of the next census, which has not even started in this huge country. Demonstrations were severely repressed, the army firing live ammunition into the crowd and causing 42 deaths, according to the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH). So when Kabila will attack there to the Constitution which states that "the number and term of office of the President of the Republic [five years, renewable once, NDRL] can not be the subject of any revision constitutional "?

Step number 2: muzzle his opponents. In late June, President Kabila has asked the public prosecutor to conduct an investigation against money laundering and corruption which aims numerous political opponents and especially the most promising of them. Other maneuvers, more violent, are expected

Now we understand why François Hollande had "sounded" his counterpart Kabila during the XIV Summit of the Francophonie in October 2012. President Kabila had better inspire Nigeria that has recently organized its democratic transition with elections and sincere transparent. This is an absolute condition for the power finally deals with real issues. The DRC has a cruel need new blood to his head.