1. (a) I visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to meet with President Kabila. On my departure from the DRC, a courtesy call by the ruling party’s Presidential candidate, Mr Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, took place at the airport.
(b) The purpose of the visit to the DRC was to meet with President Kabila. Mr Shadary requested the courtesy call.
(c) None.
2. No other candidate requested to meet with me. If they had, I would certainly have been willing to meet them.
3. (a) I commended President Joseph Kabila for honouring the Congolese Constitution by not seeking a third term. This position is consistent with the Statement that was issued following the 38th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government held in mid-August 2018 in Windhoek, Namibia, which also commended President Kabila and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for upholding the Constitution.
(b) I maintain the same position on President Kabila’s decision not to seek a third term. Contrary to media reports former President Mbeki has not been appointed as a Special Envoy to the DRC, but has agreed to my request, given his vast experience, to assist the government with various issues in the Great Lakes region as a whole.