President Joseph Kabila shocked African political observers, when he announced he was not seeking re-election. He has been the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2001 and this is sure to be a major change in the country. It appears as if this decision may be influenced by events in Togo, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Burundi. A number of African sates are removing long time leaders. The newly elected leader Felix Tshisekedi in this interview explains what his political vision is and what he hopes to do for the DRC. President Tshisekedi recognizes that poverty has cause much discord through the nation. Lack of security and violence has caused internally displaced persons. He accuses the Kabila presidency of this division, but the reality is it is a complex web of ethnic conflict and external Africa states causing disturbances. Corruption, poor governance, and semi-authoritarian rule can not be easily overturned with the election of a new president. The DRC has a long way to go in terms of recovery from the Congolese Civil War of 1998 to 2003. The question remains what to do about armed groups and rival factions. The M23 rebels caused disturbances before and there is a possibility new groups could emerge. Peace must come, before economic development. As long as the country remains dangerous, investment or infrastructure projects will not be possible. President Felix Tshisekedi will have many problems to confront and it is unclear what specific policy can solve them.
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