DRC's Bemba returns to politics, eyes presidency

Former Democratic Republic of Congo Vice President Jean Pierre Bemba, whose war crimes convictions were overturned in June returned to his home country to take part in the upcoming presidential election. Bemba returned weeks after the International Criminal Court (ICC) overturned his war crimes convictions to submit his credentials to the electoral commission. He had been in custody in The Hague for 10 years and was convicted in 2016. The deadline to file applications for the much-delayed presidential election is today. Exiled opposition leader Moise Katumbi who is another prominent opposition leader also announced his return to participate in the political process after fleeing the country two years ago.To help us unpack the discussion for the day, we are joined by: • Professor William Gumede who is the Executive Chairperson at Democracy Works Foundation and an Associate Professor at the Wits School of Governance • Kambale Musavuli is the Spokesperson for human rights advocacy organisation Friends of the Congo