27 Congo figures form coalition to stop president's 3rd term

December 20, 2015 10:07 AM

Kabila, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in office, has not commented publicly on his political ambitions despite critics' accusations that he is attempting to cling to power.

Congolese politician and businessman Moise Katumbi watches as his soccer club TP Mazembe trains inside a stadium located in the Kamalondo suburb of Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, November 4, 2015.

More than 27 high-profile Congolese figures, including Moise Katumbi, considered a main opposition candidate in next year's presidential polls, have formed a coalition aimed at preventing a bid from Joseph Kabila for a third term, their statement said.

"We have decided to combine our forces, our human and material resources, our strategies and our actions, to create a citizen coalition named 'Citizen Front 2016'," the statement reads.

The announcement comes as the vast central African country's parliament contemplates giving more protection from prosecution to former rulers, viewed as a way of encouraging Kabila to step down in November next year.

Africa's biggest copper producer has not had a single peaceful handover of power since independence from former colonial master Belgium in 1960.