Zuma under fire for hosting DRC’s Kabila
The president was yesterday called a ‘partner in crime’ after meeting Joseph Kabila at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
SA president congratulates DRC counterpart for political progress.
President Jacob Zuma was labelled an “accomplice” and “partner in crime” for hosting Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila, as Kabila remained in power despite his term ending last year.
Zuma welcomed Kabila at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria yesterday for the 10th session of the South Africa-DRC Bi-National Commission. Co-chaired by the two heads of state, the commission aimed at deepening economic relations between the two countries.
But Kabila received a hostile reception from his compatriots, who picketed outside, chanting slurs through a megaphone at cars entering the secured premises. They accused Zuma of colluding with Kabila to remain in office.
“How can the South African government engage in affairs of the DRC with someone who is constitutionally no longer a president?” asked spokesperson for the Congolese community, Prince Mpinda. “This is a private conversation between them and has nothing to do with our country.
“Zuma allowing him here makes him a partner in crime and an accomplice to what Kabila is doing to our people in the DRC.”
But inside the presidential guesthouse, Zuma congratulated Kabila on progress made towards the next elections, adding the country was now politically stable with an improved security situation.
“We gather here at a time when your country is going through a political transition following the December 2016 political agreement,” said Zuma.
“This agreement chartered a process that should lead to the next elections.
“We congratulate you, Mr President, on the progress achieved and the manner in which you handled the process.”
He said the people of the DRC needed to decide their internal political future through dialogue and negotiation, instead of conflict.
“The people of the DRC have proven in the past their ability to dialogue. We wish to reiterate that dialogue and not conflict is the best way to resolve problems. In this regard, we wish to assure you of our continued solidarity and support,” he said.
According to the Presidency, South Africa is the DRC’s largest supplier of foreign goods and services, contributing more than 20% of the country’s total imports.
To address poverty, inequality and unemployment, Zuma said the two countries needed to strengthen their economic cooperation by increasing trade and investment between them.
Earlier this year Kabila agreed to step down as president after elections are held before the end of the year, under an agreement apparently finalised between the DRC government and the opposition. –