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Newly appointed cabinet in DRC took office

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A newly appointed cabinet took office in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, despite disapproval. Analysts say the country’s political crisis could deepen.

And the electoral commission says this year’s scheduled elections could be delayed by persistent militia violence in central Congo.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s newly appointed cabinet under Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala took oath of office on Tuesday, but was met with jeers from opposition members who have rejected the new cabinet.

Opposition members say the national government of unity undermines a previous agreement that President Joseph Kabila holds elections by the end of this year.

Despite the show of disapproval from the opposition, Tshibala said he was committed to work with all for the benefit of the country:

“The immediate actions of this government of national unity are deeply entrenched in the political accord of December 31st 2016 and its terms. The 4 main points of action for the new government will be; one, to organise credible, free, transparent and peaceful elections, free at the agreed date. Number 2 will be to end the downfall of the country’s economy, number three will be to improve living conditions for the population and four will be to improve security throughout the country.”

But political tensions remain in the country.

Kabila’s opponents suspect he intends to repeatedly delay elections until he can organise a referendum to let himself stand for a third term. Kabila denies those accusations citing budgetary constraints.

Meanwhile, the president of Congo’s electoral commission Corneille Nangaa said the country’s elections could be delayed because of persistent militia violence in central Congo.

“Elections must take place, but not just anyhow. If we organise the election hastily without preparing what is necessary because we must stick to the date, we risk having non-credible elections and that will probably lead to violence that we saw recently.”

An insurrection in the Kasai region that first began last July has caused hundreds of deaths and displaced more than 1 million people, with thousands fleeing into neighbouring Angola.

– By SABC TV Desk

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