KINSHASA, Congo (AP) – A coalition of Congo’s opposition parties is calling for a general strike after the country’s electoral commission said a presidential election once meant for November won’t be held until next year.
The national dialogue begins Tuesday on a new electoral timeline, but the coalition says it won’t take part because multiple conditions have not been met. It urges a strike that day instead.
Congo’s opposition has long expressed concern that President Joseph Kabila wants an election delay to remain in power beyond his mandate, which ends in December.
The electoral commission announced late Saturday that voter registration for the election would not be ready until July 2017 because of logistical issues and lack of money.
Kabila, in power since 2001, is barred from running for a third term under the constitution. The constitutional court in May said the president should remain in office until a new leader is elected.