By Bernard Mutambudzi
Chief Diplomatic Advisor to DRC President Joseph Kabila, Kikaya Bin Karubi today paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa Building office where he briefed him on the preparedness of the country for the presidential elections on 23 December 2018.
Karubi said there was need to strengthen the good relations existing between DRC and Harare by increasing cooperation in the economic and political spheres.
“I was happy and grateful to be able to visit Honourable President Mnangagwa,” he said adding that, “I had the opportunity to discuss with him about our close and friendly relations between the Republic of DRC and the Republic of Zimbabwe and convey special message from President Kabila,”
Mr Karubi said he also discussed on electoral reforms as the country was going to hold its first ever civilized elections later in December.
“This year elections will be first to see a civilized transfer of power from incumbent President Kabila to whoever is going to win,” said the envoy.
He said his country was facing trans-border terrorists coming into the country and killing people in the Beni area.
“The army is doing whatever is possible to contain the problem and elections would go ahead as planned,” he added.
He said the country was still battling with the scourge of Ebola and the local medical team with the help of international teams was doing their best to contain the disease.
“In terms of democracy, we are still babies and in the learning process, that’s why we are coming to Zimbabwe which has just concluded its elections held in July,” said the envoy.
He said there were 21 presidential candidates and over 700 political parties which were registered with the electoral body.
“Elections are matter of national sovereignty, we do not want anybody to interfere in our electoral processes,” he said.
He said his country would run the elections alone.
“In DRC we say, if you see Greek giving gifts, he would want something in return,” he said.
He said when the country needed help, they knew where to knock and the African friends would be there to help.
“We do not want help with strings attached, we will do it alone as these other friends would need ten times more when they give help,” the envoy said.
