In Focus | DRC
Congolese lithium capital Manono set to come under Kabila clan control
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By Paul Deutschmann and Louise Margolin
After having reigned over Congo-K for the last 22 years, the Kabila family needs to invent a new future for itself. Having left the presidential throne to Felix Tshisekedi in January, the clan has been working for the last two months on plans to fall back on its native Tanganyika province in eastern Congo-K, and, more specifically, to the town of Manono, which, in recent years, has become the capital of African lithium prospecting. Zoe Kabila, the brother of former president Joseph Kabila, wants to have himself elected as governor of Manono.
The battle for the governorate of Tanganyika is causing some commotion in the new regime of Felix Tshisekedi. The two candidates represent the warrior factions of Congolese politics. Zoe Kabila Mwanza Mbala, brother of former president Joseph Kabila and deputy for Manono since 2012, is fighting Christian Mwando Nsimba, the right-hand man of Moise Katumbi. The elections, which had initially been due to take place on March 26, have been postponed to April 10. The battle is nevertheless being followed
