Democratic Republic of Congo’s Constitutional Court Dismisses Case Against Opposition Leader Moïse Katumbi’s Eligibility for Presidential Election
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, has made a ruling regarding a case filed against opposition leader Moïse Katumbi’s eligibility for the upcoming presidential election. The case raised concerns about Katumbi’s nationality due to his father being of Italian descent. The court’s decision has important implications for the political landscape of the country.
Katumbi, who is seen as one of the main challengers to incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi in the December elections, faced allegations that his dual nationality as an Italian citizen barred him from running for presidency under Congolese law. However, on Monday, the court deemed the case unfounded and dismissed it.
The dismissal of the suit has sparked political tension in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the country prepares for the highly anticipated elections. President Tshisekedi, who is seeking a second term, will now face competition from Katumbi, Martin Fayulu, Adolphe Muzito, Denis Mukwege, and more than 20 other registered candidates. The final list of candidates will be published on November 18 after thorough vetting by the electoral body.
The court’s decision to dismiss the case against Katumbi was based on lack of standing, indicating that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim that he held any other nationality besides Congolese. Katumbi’s lawyer, Herve Diakiese, emphasized the long battle they had fought against injustice, lies, manipulation, and disinformation.
Outside the court in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Katumbi’s supporters celebrated the ruling, while critics of the court’s decision expressed concerns about the potential implications for the upcoming election. To address the issue of nationality requirements for high political office, Noel Tshiani, another presidential hopeful, has proposed a draft law that would allow only individuals with both Congolese parents to hold such positions.
The draft law, which has been approved by the parliament but not yet tabled for debate, has faced opposition from DR Congo’s opposition parties and criticism from the Catholic clergy who consider it discriminatory. Some view the proposed law as an attempt to strengthen President Tshisekedi’s chances of securing a second term, although he has stated that it should not be used to exclude other contenders.
Moïse Katumbi, a former governor of the resource-rich Katanga province and a wealthy businessman, left the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2016 when he was accused by the government of hiring mercenaries. He was also convicted in absentia and sentenced to three years in prison, preventing his participation in the 2018 election. However, in 2019, Katumbi returned home after the charges against him were dropped.
The dismissal of the case against Moïse Katumbi by the Constitutional Court has significant implications for the upcoming presidential election in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It sets the stage for a highly competitive race between Katumbi, President Tshisekedi, and other candidates. The court’s ruling has drawn both celebration and criticism, highlighting the political tensions in the country as the election approaches.
