Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs of the United States Herman Cohen has asked President Felix Tshisekedi to publicly reject the “Tshiani Law” arguing it is discriminatory against citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The bill seeks to eliminate presidential candidates who do not have two Congolese parents from contesting the presidential elections on December 20, 2023.
Observers say the bill, if enacted into law, is targeting popular opposition leader Moise Katumbi whose father Nissim Soriano – a Greek Jew – fled the Holocaust and settled in the then Belgian Colony.
Cohen said such discrimination had the potential of seriously damaging US-Congolese relations.
But Tshiani has insisted that the bill is aimed at defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.
“Tribute and respect to the Honorable Nsingi Pululu for his exceptional performance on Bosolo N’a Politik to defend the Tshiani Law. I am very proud to have him as a partner in defending the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. Long live DRC!,” he posted on twitter.
Pululu like Tshiani are both Kasais and tribesmen of President Felix Tshisekedi.
The controversial law has triggered ethnic divisions in Katanga with the population of the south-east mineral rich province declaring a breakaway should Katumbi be blocked from contesting the polls.
Katangese and Kasais have a long history of ethnic conflict. Katangese have previously chased Kasais from the area.
