Former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba named DRC's new defence chief

Democratic Republic of Congo's former vice president between 2003 and 2006 was imprisoned by the International Criminal Court for more than a decade, but was acquitted of several charges in 2018.

Bemba's promotion is seen as a move to help President  President Felix Tshisekedi win re-election in DRC's war-torn northeast, where the former rebel lader's group was popular in the 1990s and 2000s.
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Bemba's promotion is seen as a move to help President President Felix Tshisekedi win re-election in DRC's war-torn northeast, where the former rebel lader's group was popular in the 1990s and 2000s.

Democratic Republic of Congo's former rebel leader jailed by the International Criminal Court, Jean-Pierre Bemba, has been appointed as the country's defence minister and deputy prime minister in a cabinet reshuffle.

Bemba's appointment to the key positions come less than a year ahead of Congo's presidential elections, according to Associated Press on Friday.

DRC's former vice president between 2003 and 2006, Bemba was later imprisoned by the ICC for more than a decade, accused of murders, rapes and pillaging committed by his Movement for the Liberation of Congo forces in the neighboring country of Central African Republic.

In a surprising ruling, he was acquitted by the ICC in 2018. Bemba has always maintained his innocence.

Bemba's return to prominent government positions comes nine months ahead of DRC's presidential elections scheduled for December. 

Bemba's political comeback was likely decided to help President  President Felix Tshisekedi win votes in DRC's war-torn northeast, where Bemba's rebel group was popular in the 1990s and 2000s, say analysts.

READ MORE: Burundi to deploy troops to DRC's volatile east

“This is clearly a pre-election reshuffle and Jean-Pierre Bemba has been appointed to bring his supporters in line to rally behind the president ahead of the race,” said Benjamin Hunter, Africa analyst for Verisk Maplecroft, a risk assessment firm.

“Despite Bemba’s previous imprisonment by the ICC, he is a political heavyweight with the patronage networks and contact book to help Tshisekedi’s election campaign,” he said.

Conflict in eastern DRC has been simmering for decades with more than 120 armed groups fighting for power, land, resources and some to defend their communities. 

Tshisekedi came to office in 2019 promising to stem DRC's instability and violence, but it's only increased.

Other new government postings in the Cabinet reshuffle include Tshisekedi’s former chief of staff, Vital Kamerhe, who was named the minister of the economy. 

Kamerhe was sentenced to 20 years in prison but was acquitted last year. 

Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi, a former warlord in Ituri province was appointed minister of state for national integration.

READ MORE: Angola to send armed forces to conflict-torn Democratic Republic of Congo

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