A supporter of President Joseph Kabila stands with other people gathered outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo's parliament in the capital of Kinshasa, where Kabila was speaking on July 19, 2018. The country's ruling political alliance recently nominated a successor candidate to run for president in long-delayed elections set for December, but Kabila will remain a prominent figure in the background of Congolese politics.
After overstaying his term in office by about 18 months, Congolese President Joseph Kabila is finally taking the big step — the step down. On Aug. 8, the deadline for registering for the Democratic Republic of the Congo's presidential election, tentatively set for Dec. 23, Kabila's political alliance nominated a successor candidate to run for president. Kabila's move to step aside will likely placate the United States, France and other international powers; they feared he would seek a third term and had threatened to slap key individuals with sanctions if he did. But Kabila is just stepping back, not stepping away. He will still be prominent in the background protecting his power and his family's fortunes as the Congo adapts to a new leader.
