DRC: the dangers behind Bemba’s possible candidacy
Jean-Pierre Bemba. With just over five months before a critical election, his possible return of has shocked many in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PHOTO|FILE
Kinshasa. The possible return of Jean-Pierre Bemba has shocked many in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With just over five months before the presidential and gubernatorial elections, he has reemerged to challenge President Joseph Kabila’s political order. And despite his chequered past, Bemba has a popular following.
More than two years ago Bemba was indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court. He was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity and was sentenced to 18 years in jail. But in June this year his appeal against most of his convictions was successful. He may therefore be out of jail sooner than originally thought.
Bemba’s schedule, including his return to the DRC, has not been confirmed. But many suspect he will head back to his home country. His party, the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo (MLC), has nominated him as their presidential candidate only weeks after his conviction was quashed. He has been in touch with his supporters whom he spoke to on telephone recently to thank them. He promised that he would return soon.
His possible entry into the fray has thrown an already uncertain situation into further disarray. For one, it’s unclear who he would run against. If Kabila insists on standing again – which constitutionally he’s not allowed to do – the DRC faces another period of increasing uncertainty, and almost inevitably more violence. Bemba and Kabila fought a bitter campaign against one another. Bemba’s slogan, “100 per cent Congolese,” was widely interpreted to be a slight on his opponent’s heritage because, although Kabila was born in the Congo, rumours abounded that he was in fact from Tanzania.
A Bemba presidency
Having been exonerated from most of his convictions, Bemba now joins only a handful of candidates who have declared their intention to stand. The deadline for candidates to declare their intention to stand for President is 8 August.
It remains to be seen whether Bemba will face off against his old nemesis, Kabila. Given Kabila’s potential candidacy, and Bemba’s entrance onto the Congolese political scene, election related violence could further intensify in the DRC. (Conversation Africa)
