After weeks of negotiations, Congo's ruling party signed a deal with opposition leaders that aims to end President Joseph Kabila's 15-year-rule, dpa reported. National institutions, such as the national monitoring committee, now needed to ensure an inclusive process that involves all political role-players, government spokesman Lambert Mende Omalanga told local media on Sunday. The accord, which was mediated by the Catholic Church in Congo and signed late on Saturday night, allows Kabila to remain president until elections are held by the end of 2017. The agreement comes after months of protest against Kabila's staying in power beyond his second term. Dozens of demonstrators have been killed. Kabila would normally have relinquished power on December 19 at midnight, but the elections due in November were postponed to April 2018, citing logistical problems.
