DR Congo in political crisis over presidential election timetable

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has been facing a political crisis over the timetable for presidential polls scheduled for next year.

Seven leaders of parties allied to the ruling coalition on Sept. 14 wrote an open letter to President Joseph Kabila asking to halt the organization of regional elections in order to hold the presidential polls on time.

"A nation's development cannot be dependent on a single man," the seven leaders wrote in the letter, highlighting the risks of an extension of Kabila's term beyond November 2016.

Kabila has been in power since 2001. The constitution bars him from contesting a third term.

The party leaders in the letter called for "political change", insisting the president should respect the constitution.

However, punishment for the writers of the letter came swiftly.

On Sept. 16, Kabila sacked two of them -- Presidential Security Adviser Pierre Lumbi and Planing Minister Olivier Kamitatu.

Government spokesman Lambert Mende accused the writers of the letter of "weakening institutions of the republic and supporting the opposition."

"Respect for the constitution has always been a hallmark of the president's utterances and actions, but the letter written to Kabila by the rebels portrays the contrary, subjecting our moral authority to public ridicule," he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate and the National Assembly have been holding rival views on the timetable for the elections.

Senate Speaker Leon Kengo Wa Dendo suggests the country prioritize presidential and legislative elections, while his counterpart in the National Assembly Aubin Minaku insists on dialogue proposed by the president between political actors before the elections.

Opponents criticize the dialogue of being part of the president' s plan to delay the presidential polls.

One of the largest opposition parties, Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), recently suspended talks with the ruling party, People's Party for Reconstruction and Development.

The UDPS said its move was to prevent an extension of the electoral calendar beyond 2016.

Patrick Muyaya, a member of the presidential majority camp (president's supporters), said there's need for frank dialogue between political actors to ensure the elections are held in the best condition.

However opposition parliamentarian Toussaint Alonga expressed doubt over the government's willingness to organize elections within the stipulated time.

"It is four years since our parliamentary term began, yet it is now that parliament is discussing the electoral budget. This is extremely serious. At the same time, the government is itself saying there's no money. The motif here is very clear; the government does not want to organize elections," Alonga told Xinhua.

Last Tuesday, an opposition rally in Kinshasa ended with violent clashes between protesters and security officers.

The opposition in January staged protests against Kabila's bid to push for a census before the presidential polls -- which it said was meant to prolong the president's stay in office.

Since then, the political climate in DR Congo has been growing tense. Enditem