Jean-Pierre Bemba Returns Home To DR Congo, Causing Concern For President Tshisekedi
Credit: Credit: © ICC-CPI/Armin Taslaman / DR Congo VP Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo in the ICC courtroom during the delivery of his guilty verdict on 21 March 2016 of war crimes. Then on 8, June 2018, the Appeals Court of the ICC decided, by majority, to acquit Bemba from all charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
Congolese opposition figure and former warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba’s return to the Democratic Republic of Congo last week has caused quite a stir, with speculation he may be trying to get back into politics. The International Criminal Court’s Appeal judges in June 2018 overturned Bemba’s 2016 conviction, when he was found guilty of two counts of crimes against humanity and three counts of war crimes. According to news reports, Bemba Congolese arrived discreetly in Kinshasa last Sunday morning for his second return to the DR Congo. Bemba returned to the DR Congo last year after being released from the ICC in a failed attempt to register as a candidate in the country’s presidential election. Congo’s election commission banned Bemba from running for president due his ICC pending case in which Bemba was convicted of bribing witnesses. Under Congolese law, people convicted of corruption are unable to run for office.
Bemba was welcomed by Martin Fayulu, one of the men who lost last June’s presidential election won by Felix Tshisekedi.
“It is with joy and enthusiasm that I announce my return to Kinshasa, DRC, on Sunday June 23 2019. I look forward to meeting you so that together we can strengthen the unity of vision and action for a prosperous Congo.”
-Jean-Pierre Bemba wrote before his return.
Mes chers frères et sœurs, je suis désormais parmi vous à Kinshasa. Le meeting aura finalement lieu aujourd'hui, le dimanche 23 juin 2019, à partir de 11h00 au terrain Sainte-Thérèse de N'djili. #RDC #Bemba pic.twitter.com/wUYD5PGudq
— Jean Pierre Bemba (@bembajp) June 23, 2019
Nous avons marché et nous continuerons à marcher ensemble. #RDC #Bemba pic.twitter.com/c2vp0hS1QL
— Jean Pierre Bemba (@bembajp) June 24, 2019
Last Year, Bemba arrived back in DR Congo by private jet to register for presidential elections
Credit: Jean-Pierre Bemba via Twitter / Bemba boards private jet enroute to DR Congo Aug. 1, 2018 after being freed from the ICC prison following his acquittal of war crime charges. However, DR Congo Banned Former War Lord Jean-Pierre Bemba from running In Election.
Bemba return worry for DR Congo’s Tshisekedi: The East African
Credit: By Gary Raynaldo / DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington D.C. on a visit to the United States Apr. 4, 2019.
Bemba’s return to DR Congo is further complicating President Felix Tshisekedi’s rule, the East African.com wrote.
“The return of Bemba to Congo, completes the Lamuka platform of the so called “six bosses” – all powerful business and political individuals. They are Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Jean-Pierre Bemba, former prime minister Adolphe Muzito, rebel leader Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi and Freddy Matungulu,” – the East African.com. “With all these men in the country Congo, President Tshisekedi has a tricky regional balancing act in order to hold on to power with his predecessor Joseph Kabila calling the shots in the legislature and cabinet.”
