KINSHASA - The former governor of Katanga and leading opposition figure, Moïse Katumbi, has officially launched his campaign to become the next president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Moise Katumbi, 58, is a wealthy businessman and owner of Congolese football club TP Mazembe, based in the southeastern city of Lubumbashi.
He was born in the Katanga province, the mineral-rich economic motor of the DRC, where he became a governor. But Katumbi has also often been criticised for not being "fully" Congolese, because his father was born in Greece.
As leader of the Together for the Republic party, Katumbi argues that his track record developing Katanga as provincial governor qualifies him for the presidency.
Katumbi is trying to mobolise other potential candidates to join his campaign. Former Prime Minister (2012-2016) Augustin Matata Ponyo announced on Sunday his withdrawal in his favour.
