Resolve Katumbi saga urgently

Dear Editor,

THE story of Congolese aspiring presidential candidate Moise Katumbi who has been barred from entering his home country Congo DR to file his presidential nomination papers makes sad reading. It is unfortunate that such kind of politics still take place in Africa.

Unless African leaders realise that they cannot rule forever but pass on the leadership baton to someone at one point, democracy and development will continue to elude the continent.

Leadership under a democratic dispensation entails upholding the rule of law and allowing for elections to pave way for people to choose leaders of their choice. Under this system, it is the will of the people and not of an individual that should prevail at the end of the day.

Further, in a democracy, it is an abomination for a leader to personalise power, instead the leaders should take into account the needs of citizens or put national interests first.

So what is happening to Mr Katumbi is uncalled for and should not be allowed to happen to any other African. Like everywhere else in the world, every person has the right to aspire and stand for any other position in his or her own country provided they meet the requirements.

So why block the man from standing? Like Mr Katumbi says, if he has committed any crime better he is allowed in the country so he can face the law, otherwise, the action by the Congolese government is unjustified and illegal. There is need for stability in that country which for a long time has been hit by perpetual turmoil. Currently, there are over 8, 000 Congolese refugees in Zambia, mostly women and children who have fled violence in that country. Is that what the DRC government wants? Do they want to perpetuate the situation? I hope not.

I therefore appeal to the African Union, SADC, COMESA and other regional bodies to quickly intervene in this matter for an amicable solution. Let them sit down with the Congolese government to resolve this matter through dialogue before the situation escalates into a catastrophe. Let a win-win situation prevail in this matter.