The crisis in the DRC

Last week the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) snubbed the United Nations (UN) led pledging conference which was aimed at raising funds towards a $1.7 billion UN appeal this year to help 10.5 million people in DRC. DRC President Joseph Kabila remains the main cause of unrest. His term ended in December 2016 yet refuses to step down. His government continues to find reasons to delay elections which should have been held shortly after the conclusion of Kabila’s term. Meanwhile, citizens have expressed dissatisfaction with the government and have repeatedly taken to the streets of the capital city Kinshasa to call for elections and Kabila’s resignation. To discuss this further we are joined on the line by: • Professor Bheki Mngomezulu, he is a political sciences lecturer at the University of the Western Cape • • Kambale Musavuli, is the national spokesperson of advocacy organisation Friends of the Congo and he is in New York