Ex-DR Congo PM backs Katumbi amid election tensions

The former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Augustin Matata Ponyo, has withdrawn from next month’s presidential election. He said he would now be backing Moïse Katumbi, a millionaire businessman and former governor of the Katanga region. According to the BBC, the run-up to the 20 December vote has been tense with human rights groups accusing the authorities of cracking down on dissent and freedom of expression – charges the government denies.