{{Controversy has emerged following hints that DR-Congo’s President Joseph Kabila might be attempting to return to office even after he completes the non renewable two terms in 2016.}}
A member of the ruling party surprised the national assembly when he suddenly proposed an amendment to the country’s constitution.
He is proposing that DR-Congo adopts new forms of electing the president citing South Africa and Angola where the president is elected by members of the national assembly and not the entire citizenship.
Whether President Kabila leaves power in 2016 at the end of his second term remains a question at the centre of debate in this troubled rich country.
The new proposal will uphold article 220 of the country’s constitution which provides for only two presidential terms.
Analysts predict that if such a motion to reform the constitution is successful, majority would be in favour of changing the method of voting for president.
The reform would require creation of a position of Vice President and the presidential term would be increased to seven years as opposed to the current five years.
If successful, the reform would be effected in 2015 a year before President Kabila concludes his two terms in office and technically he would be candidate.
However, others think that President Kabila should respect the Constitution in its present form and to hand to save democracy and ensure peace.
Meanwhile, others are calling for a national census to determine the country’s population. A census in DRC was last held three decades ago.
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