Joseph Kabila’s promise to address the Congolese people after almost five years of silence has provoked strong reactions in Kinshasa. Some observers and political actors have expressed concern that Kabila could not speak in public without violating his duty of reserve as a former President of the Republic. The question of whether the former president has the right to speak publicly torments people’s minds.
However, according to Frédéric Bola, a former magistrate, Kabila has every right to address his supporters and the Congolese population, even while being subject to a general obligation of reserve. This obligation of reserve does not prevent him from speaking freely and engaging in political activities, in accordance with the law relating to the status of former Presidents of the Republic.
In his words, Kabila must not violate professional secrecy. Forgetting this duty could lead him to a criminal prosecution and expose himself to offenses of attack on the external security of the State, treason or even espionage. However, if he respects the aforementioned rules, nothing will prevent him from speaking publicly.
In front of FCC executives in Kingakati, the former president reassured that he had not bowed out in politics, although his long silence may have suggested otherwise. He also claimed that he had only one passion: the Congo. Expectations are now high for the nature of his comments on election issues and the circumstances surrounding the disintegration of the FCC-CACH coalition, among others.