DR Congo opposition to protest against Kabila's third term bid

Opposition political parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) plan to protest on Feb. 16, 2016 in the capital Kinshasa to "say no" to the third term bid by President Joseph Kabila whose term ends in November this year.

In a statement read to the media on Wednesday by Charles Mwando Nsimba, a member of the Citizen's Front, the opposition vowed to ensure on the said date, Kinshasa will be a "ghost town" as its supporters will be saying "no to a third term, no to violation of the Constitution and yes to organization of presidential elections within the constitutional time frame."

"We, as the opposition parties and civil society groups, call upon our citizens, wherever they are, to take part in the Feb. 16 protests to prevent an attack on our Constitution," the joint statement read.

"On this day, each one of us should come out to give a serious warning to Kabila and all those who want to try to violate our Constitution by remaining in power forever," the same statement continued.

Several Congolese opposition parties suspect Kabila wants to remain in power beyond November this year when his second term ends.

The National Independent Electoral Commission is expected to organize both legislative and presidential elections by Nov. 19, 2016, yet it lacks the financial means to launch the electoral process.

President Kabila has called for political dialogue to discuss the organization of peaceful and transparent elections. The African Union and the UN Mission for Stabilization of Congo have expressed support for the dialogue. Enditem