Soccer-Loving Congolese Businessman Eyes Run for Presidency
- Katumbi backs opposition call for release of election schedule
- Congo may hold presidential elections in November 2016
Moise Katumbi.
Photographer: Federico Scoppa/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The owner of one of Africa’s top soccer clubs and ex-governor of a region that contains the continent’s richest copper deposits appears to be preparing to run for president in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He’s just not saying so yet.
Since September, Moise Katumbi has resigned from the ruling party, stepped down as governor of the former province of Katanga, met with opposition leaders in Europe and become increasingly vocal in his criticism of perceived attempts by current President Joseph Kabila to hold on to power. He’s also sold Mining Company Katanga, which he founded nearly two decades ago, to a French buyer for an undisclosed sum.