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Belgium, France will "re-examine" relations with Congo
Demonstrators chant slogans against plans of Democratic Republic of Congo's President Joseph Kabila to stay in office past the end of his term, during a protest in central Brussels, Belgium, December 19, 2016. PHOTO BY REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
20/12/2016
KINSHASA (Reuters) - Former colonial power Belgium said on Tuesday that it will "re-examine" its relations with Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila after he failed to step down when his mandate expired on Monday.
Kabila, who has ruled since 2001, was required by constitutional term limits to leave office but his government says the presidential election to replace him cannot take place until 2018.
"As there is no inclusive agreement, relations between Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo will be re-examined, with the greatest circumspection for any new engagement with the current authorities," the statement said.
France's foreign ministry called for the European Union to re-examine its relations with Democratic Republic of Congo after President Joseph Kabila failed to step down when his mandate expired on Monday.
"After the constitutional mandate of President Kabila ended, France is concerned by reports of arrests as well as violence in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi," spokesman Romain Nadal said in a daily briefing. "The seriousness of the situation justifies that the European Union re-examines its relations with Congo," he added.
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