DR Congo opposition parties file court case on presidential terms

Several opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) on Wednesday filed a case at the Constitutional Court seeking interpretation of Article 70 of the Constitution regarding presidential terms, something that has sharply divided the country's political class.

The opposition initiative came just a few days after over 200 members of parliament of the presidential majority camp went to the same court on Monday seeking interpretation of the same article.

The opposition members are seeking a favourable interpretation of this constitutional article.

The signatories to the opposition petition have rejected the idea that President Joseph Kabila can remain in power beyond 2016 if presidential elections are not held this year.

According to the parliamentarians of the ruling coalition, the president of the republic should remain in office until his elected successor is sworn in just as the case is for senators, parliamentarians and governors.

Article 70 of DR Congo's Constitution stipulates that "the president of the Republic will be elected through direct universal suffrage for a five-year period renewable once. At the end of his term, the president of the republic shall remain in office until the swearing in of the new president-elect."

Debate on the end of the term for the current president has polarised the Congolese political class for several months. The second and final term of President Kabila comes to an end in December this year. The opposition has accused him of planing to remain in power beyond 2016. Enditem