ASSESSMENTS

Congolese President Finally Picks a Successor

Aug 10, 2018 | 09:00 GMT

In this photo, a supporter of Congolese President Joseph Kabila stands with other people gathered outside parliament in the capital of Kinshasa, where Kabila was speaking on July 19, 2018.

A supporter of President Joseph Kabila stands with other people gathered outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo's parliament in the capital of Kinshasa, where Kabila was speaking on July 19, 2018. The country's ruling political alliance recently nominated a successor candidate to run for president in long-delayed elections set for December, but Kabila will remain a prominent figure in the background of Congolese politics.

(JUNIOR D. KANNAH/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • President Joseph Kabila's designation of a successor will somewhat placate the United States and other international powers that have threatened key Congolese leaders with sanctions.
  • Doubts about the government's ability to pull off a credible election by Dec. 23 remain, especially since flawed polling would likely benefit the ruling party.
  • The soon-to-be former president will attempt to control his successor and to rule from behind the scenes, creating longer-term risks for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

After overstaying his term in office by about 18 months, Congolese President Joseph Kabila is finally taking the big step -- the step down. On Aug. 8, the deadline for registering for the Democratic Republic of the Congo's presidential election, tentatively set for Dec. 23, Kabila's political alliance nominated a successor candidate to run for president. Kabila's move to step aside will likely placate the United States, France and other international powers; they feared Kabila would seek a third term and had threatened to slap key individuals with sanctions if he did. But Kabila is just stepping back, not stepping away. He will still be prominent in the background protecting his power and his family's fortunes as the Congo adapts to a new leader....

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