UN rights envoy on four-day work visit to DRCongo
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, is on a four-day official visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo . PHOTO|NMG
What you need to know:
President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since he replaced his father in 2001, should leave office in December. But in May, the Constitutional Court said he could remain in power if a presidential election was not organised in time.
Yaoundé. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, is on a four-day official visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo amid fears of violence if authorities fail to respect the electoral calendar.
President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since he replaced his father in 2001, should leave office in December. But in May, the Constitutional Court said he could remain in power if a presidential election was not organised in time.
The opposition accuses President Kabila of orchestrating a delay in order to extend his stay in power.
Mr Hussein was expected to hold meetings with provincial officials and civil society organisations in Goma Tuesday.
“During his visit, High Commissioner Hussein has requested a meeting with the President Joseph Kabila and will hold discussions with top officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, the Minister of Interior…,” the UN said in a statement.
Tensions are high in DR Congo with violent demonstrations by opposition and other pressure groups calling on President Kabila to respect the constitution and organise elections in which he should not be a candidate.
The UN diplomat will also meet with the members o the National Assembly and the presidents of the Senate, the National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, members of the international community and UN agencies, the statement announced further.
DR Congo’s opposition activist and leading challenger to President Kabila Mr Moise Katumbi was sentenced to three years in jail late last month over a real estate dispute, which makes him ineligible to stand.
But Mr Katumbi, who left the country for medical treatment after being jailed, said earlier this month that he planned to return home to lead a “non-violent protest” against President Kabila.
President Kabila has been cracking down on the opposition, religious and civil society groups who have been mobilising against his intention for a third term.
There has been a pattern of arbitrary arrests and detentions by the National Intelligence Agency and trials based on suspected trumped-up charges.
(NMG)
