The constitution is very clear as to how and when the president hands over power. He can only hand power over to an elected successor.
Joseph KabilaDemocracy was assassinated here when Patrice Lumumba was assassinated. And who brought democracy back to this country? We are the ones who did that after pushing out the dictatorship in 1997.
Joseph KabilaWe want perfect elections, not just any kind of elections. And it's the electoral commission that organizes elections in the country - this is what most people forget. We have an independent commission which, acccording to our constitution, is in charge of organizing elections.
Joseph KabilaI cannot interpret the constitution. Only the constitutional courts can interpret the constitution.
Joseph KabilaWe are not going to finance elections when we need to fight to win back occupied territory.
Joseph KabilaThe father of democracy is Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister after our independence, who was assassinated under conditions that to this day nobody can clearly understand. So, for me, this title is not the most important thing. You can go down in history as the father of democracy, but you can also go down as the person who brought about chaos just by stepping down.
Joseph Kabila