By Richard Norman
I wrote a couple of weeks ago about clashes between opposition leader (and Congolese senator) Jean-Pierre Bemba’s personal militia and DRC federal forces in Kinshasa. Bemba’s militia surrendered and Bemba himself took refuge in the South African embassy. Today they are reports he has flown to Portugal for medical service.
From the BBC:
About 15 United Nations armoured vehicles escorted Mr Bemba all the way from the South African embassy where he had sought refuge in Kinshasa to the capital’s airport.
The BBC’s Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says ironically the convoy crossed through the poor eastern districts of the capital where a few months ago more than a million of his militant supporters have taken to the streets.
Mr Bemba was then running for presidency.
But it was dark when the UN escorted Mr Bemba out of the DR Congo and there was no-one to wave goodbye to the 44-year-old opposition leader, our reporter says.
The former vice-president and his family left aboard his own Boeing 727 aeroplane.
He was given permission to go to Portugal for 60 days to receive treatment on his leg, say officials at the Senate, where Mr Bemba has a seat.
Our correspondent says there is speculation the trip may be used as a diplomatic move to ease tension following last month’s clashes.
It seems doubtful he’ll return. This raises a difficult question. Is it better for someone like Bemba (a shady character to say the least) to lead opposition to the government or for him to leave a popular vacuum on the opposition side? That’s the problem with Bemba. As for general persecution of opposition members, MONUC has forcefully condemned it.