Kamerhe arrest will destabilise Congo’s presidency

Subject

Dynamics within Congo's coalition government.

Significance

Vital Kamerhe, President Felix Tshisekedi’s chief of staff and main political ally, was on April 8 arrested on corruption charges, the first time since independence that such a senior official has been imprisoned. Should the charges stick, Kamerhe’s exit from the centre of power would seriously disturb the fragile balance within the uneasy coalition government between Tshisekedi and Kamerhe’s parties, united in the Camp for Change (CACH) alliance, and the Common Front for Congo (FCC) of former President Joseph Kabila.

Impacts

• The arrest creates a political crisis when the nation already faces two health crises (COVID-19 and Ebola) and multiple security crises.
• Kamerhe’s arrest will weaken the presidency’s capacity to exercise executive power, as Tshisekedi is not known for decisive action.
• The judiciary’s lack of independence will fuel fears of politicisation and may limit the potential for a wider anti-corruption effort.