(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency)
KINSHASA, Congo, Sha'ban 04, 1437, May 11, 2016, SPA -- Congo's constitutional court said Wednesday the president can stay in office beyond his mandate if there is a delay in presidential elections, slated for November, according to AP.
President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001 and is meant to leave office in December, is barred by the constitution from seeking a third term.
The opposition has voiced concerns for some time that Kabila would delay elections to stay in power.
"Following the principle of continuity for the state and to avoid a lack of head of state, the current president remains in office until the installation of a newly-elected president," said the Constitutional Court statement read by its head, Benoit Luamba Bintu. The court was responding to a request to clarify the matter by a coalition of political parties that back the president.
--SPA
23:42 LOCAL TIME 20:42 GMT
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