Congo: The President of the National Assembly, Jeanine Mabunda, could be dismissed

The new President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Félix Tshisekedi (right) with outgoing President Joseph Kabila during the handover in Kinshasa on January 24, 2019.

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The National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo examines this Thursday a request for the dismissal of its president, a new step in the offensive of President Félix Tshisekedi to overthrow the parliamentary majority loyal to his predecessor Joseph Kabila. Under the worried eye of the international community, the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa has been sinking into crisis since President Tshisekedi announced on Sunday the end of the ruling coalition he formed with Mr. Kabila. The president announced that he wanted to achieve a new majority in the Assembly to support his reform policy, failing which he would dissolve the lower house.

The friends of Mr. Kabila claim a majority of more than 300 deputies out of 500. They accuse Mr. Tshisekedi of wanting to establish a dictatorial regime in the service of personal power.

President Tshisekedi's offensive was relayed to the Assembly on Monday by his supporters. In the plenary hall, members of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS, presidential party) destroyed furniture to prevent the holding of a meeting called by the pro-Kabila president of the Assembly, Jeanine Mabunda.

On Tuesday, a pitched battle between pro-Tshisekedi and pro-Kabila erupted in the hall of Parliament, with at least three injured. Supporters from both camps mingled with the deputies.

On Thursday morning, hundreds of police were filtering the entrances to the People's Palace, the seat of Parliament, an AFP journalist noted. The police only let in deputies, agents of Parliament and accredited journalists. Elsewhere in the capital, life was absolutely normal. But all eyes were on the Assembly. The deputies were invited to take part in a new plenary session with on the agenda the examination of a request for the dismissal of Ms. Mabunda, the pro-Kabila president of the Assembly.

The plenary was convened by a provisional office (collegial direction) of the Assembly installed Tuesday at the initiative of supporters of Felix Tshisekedi. This provisional team of three members was received Wednesday by the head of state, according to Congolese media.

The faithful of Mr. Kabila do not recognize this provisional office which includes, according to the rules of the Assembly, the oldest member of the deputies and the two youngest children. We are here to correct irregularities , told AFP the former chief of staff of Mr. Kabila, Néhémie Mwilanya.

Beyond the twists and turns of parliamentary procedure, the international community does not lose sight of the big stake of the crisis: the stability of the African giant, whose immense economic potential (agriculture, water resources, etc.) is weighed down by corruption and a failed state. The DRC is regularly perceived as a threat to regional stability, with its 2.3 million km2, its nine borders and its endless armed conflicts in the East (two provinces of Kivu and Ituri).

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the violent incidents which erupted in Parliament on Monday and called on Tuesday all political actors to resolve their differences peacefully as did the major embassies in Kinshasa.

As a whole, the chancelleries support Mr. Tshisekedi, starting with the United States: We support the ongoing democratic process by looking at what is best for the future of the DRC,"wrote on Wednesday on Twitter Assistant Secretary of State Tibor Nagy.

France supports the reforms initiated by President Tshisekedi and calls on all stakeholders for a peaceful political debate, Paris also indicated via its embassy.

Belgium is ready to contribute to the implementation of the important reforms of President Tshisekedi, indicated the former colonial power. The positions (between the Tshisekedi and Kabila camps) seem irreconcilable and it is an arm wrestling worries a diplomat, who fears "a possible duplication of the institutions therefore of "big tensions.

President Tshisekedi was proclaimed the winner of the contested elections of December 30, 2018, which gave a parliamentary majority to the political forces of his predecessor Kabila. MM. Tshisekedi and Kabila then signed a coalition agreement. On January 24, Mr. Kabila, in business for 18 years, handed over power to Mr. Tshisekedi, the first peaceful transition in the still turbulent history of the Congo.