On 8 June Jean-Pierre Bemba, a charismatic Congolese leader and fierce rival of President Joseph Kabila, was acquitted by the International Criminal Court's appeals chamber of a 2016 war crimes conviction. His likely re-entry into Congolese politics will shake up the campaign ahead of elections slated for December 2018. Bemba has the profile to contest the presidency. For Presi- dent Kabila, whose attempts to retain power face stiff domestic and international opposition - or for a successor Kabila anoints - Bemba represents a threat. But his return will also complicate the Congolese opposition's efforts to unite behind a single presidential contender. International actors need to maintain pressure for elections at the end of 2018 without Kabila. If Kabila stands aside and prospects of a genuine contest for power improve, credible polls and commitments by contenders to avoid inflammatory campaign language and pursue post-election grievances peacefully will be critical
Notes
"15 June 2018."
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references
Notes
Online resource; title from PDF caption (ICG, viewed August 18, 2018)
