LUBUMBASHI, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) -- The U.K. ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo has said that President Joseph Kabila will leave office at the end of his second term, contradicting the predictions of the opposition.
"Kabila reiterated his intention to hold elections in compliance with the constitution... and that there will be a transfer of power,” Graham Zebedee told Anadolu Agency. "We are ready to finance elections provided they are free, democratic and transparent, particularly in respect of the constitution."
The opposition, however, fears that Kabila – in power since 2001 – will seek a third term in office anyway.
The Congolese constitution limits the president to two five-year terms.
"Such elections will strengthen the stability of this great country... and this will be a signal that people can invest in this country for the long-term," Zebedee said.
The British ambassador also said that the DRC has made significant advances.
"The stabilization of the country, which was at war when he came to power, constructive relations with the nine neighboring countries, a very impressive level of macroeconomic stability, economic growth of 6.7 percent over the last ten years - among the highest in the world - and, especially, a significant reduction in poverty," Zebedee said.
Kabila came to power as interim president after the assassination of his father, Laurent Kabila.
Joseph Kabila has won two elections, in 2006 and 2011. His second term ends in 2016.
