Congo Hits Back After Botswana Blames President for Crisis
- Protests, violence have flared as Kabila remains in office
- Botswana’s claims the most strident yet from an African nation
Joseph Kabila, center, in Kinshasa on April 5, 2017.
Photographer: Junior D. Kannah/AFP via Getty Images
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The Democratic Republic of Congo reacted angrily to Botswana’s claim that President Joseph Kabila’s decision to remain in power is stoking instability in the vast central African nation.
Congo’s communications minister dismissed as “nonsense” Monday’s comments from Botswana, which represented the most strident criticism yet of Kabila by an African government. It comes as militia violence flares in Congo’s restive east, exacerbating countrywide insecurity that’s forced 5 million people from their homes.