The United Nations Secretary-General has ‘noted’ the appointment of Samy Badibanga as the new Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of the formation of a transitional government of national unity in line with a political agreement signed last month.
“The Secretary-General welcomes this first concrete step in the implementation of the political agreement, which is expected to culminate in the holding of credible elections in the country,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.
Presidential elections in the DRC were scheduled for November but are now unlikely to happen after the country’s electoral body said it could not conduct the poll due to logistical incapacities.
Opposition leaders have accused President Joseph Kabila of plotting to cling on to power by delaying the elections.
Kabila was due to step down in December at the end of his second term in office, and is barred by the constitution from running for a third term in office.
Last month, the ruling party and some opposition parties signed an agreement to delay the elections until April 2018. Other opposition parties have however rejected the deal.
A delegation from the UN Security Council last week visited the DRC and called on political parties and social actors to take greater responsibility to adopt a consensual and inclusive electoral calendar.
