Opposition MPs boycott Joseph Kabila’s latest bid to stay in power
Kinshasa — DRC President Joseph Kabila on Thursday named an opposition MP as prime minister following a controversial deal struck between the government and fringe opposition groups that effectively extends the president’s term in office. Samy Badibanga will be the country’s next prime minister, according to a presidential decree read on state television. Badibanga is the leader of the main opposition bloc in parliament. Former premier Augustin Matata resigned on Monday to make way for an opposition figure to take his place following the agreement that was largely boycotted by mainstream opposition leaders. The deal, which followed a "national dialogue", was aimed at calming soaring political tensions but will extend President Joseph Kabila’s term to at least late 2017. He was due to leave office next month. "The deal currently represents the only roadmap put in place by the Congolese themselves," said Kabila during a defiant speech to parliamentarians in the capital Kinshasa on Tue...
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