DR Congo

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Democratic Republic of Congo presidential candidate Felix Tshisekedi backed the electoral commission’s postponement of election results, cleaving the opposition’s response to the delay. The National Independent Electoral Commission, or CENI, put off the announcement of the outcome of the Dec. 30 presidential election indefinitely on Sunday — the day it was scheduled to announce a provisional winner. While two African observer missions endorsed the polls, rival opposition candidate Martin Fayulu criticized the delay…

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Two of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most popular opposition politicians joined forces to compete in next month’s presidential election. The joint ticket splits the opposition vote and raises the likelihood that President Joseph Kabila’s chosen successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, will win the Dec. 23 vote to lead the world’s largest cobalt producer. Felix Tshisekedi, the head of Congo’s biggest opposition party, will run for president backed by Vital Kamerhe, who came…

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Opposition politicians in the Democratic Republic of Congo said they’ll back a single presidential candidate in this year’s election to maximize their chances of defeating the long-serving head of state’s chosen successor. Such an outcome would increase the prospect of opponents of President Joseph Kabila defeating his anointed replacement. The Dec. 23 vote is a one-round contest and multiple candidates would split the opposition vote. “The leaders of the opposition are…

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo denounced President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to rule himself out of upcoming elections, saying they will reject the polls if he is a candidate. Congo is preparing to hold elections in December, two years later than scheduled. While the constitution bars Kabila from seeking a third term, he’s yet to say whether he’ll be a candidate or not. Attempting to extend his 17-year…