DR Congo cannot afford 'serious institutional crisis': UN

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations envoy to DR Congo warned Monday of the security threat posed by the deeply divided African nation's political deadlock, warning that it "cannot afford a serious institutional crisis."

Leila Zerrougui spoke out after DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi said Sunday he was scrapping the shaky ruling coalition dominated by supporters of his powerful predecessor Joseph Kabila.

The announcement sparked fears of a widening political crisis in the perennially restive country, grappling with insurgency in the east and a badly fractured parliament.

"(If) this delicate political situation persists, it could have serious repercussions on the economic and security situation of the country," Zerrougui told the Security Council via video link.

The session was called to discuss the UN'S MONUSCO mission of around 15,000 peacekeepers whose mandate is due to expire on December 20.

"The political situation that DR Congo is experiencing is very uncertain," Zerrougui said, calling on the Security Council to "play an important role in encouraging a negotiated resolution of this political crisis."

She called for "stable and functional institutions" to be allowed to return to work as soon as possible to focus on economic recovery and stabilization in the east ahead of a general election scheduled for 2023.

There were violent scenes in parliament on Monday, with sources close to the assembly's pro-Kabila speaker accusing lawmakers of Tshisekedi's party of destroying desks.

Kabila ruled the DRC for 18 years until he stepped down following long-delayed elections in December 2018, handing the leadership to Tshisekedi in the country's first peaceful transition since independence from Belgium in 1960.

But the president's room for implementing much-trumpeted reforms was hampered by the need to forge a coalition with the pro-Kabila Common Front for the Congo (FCC), which has more than 300 seats in the 500-member parliament.

Kabila retains considerable clout through political allies and officers he appointed to the armed forces, and is also a senator for life.