U.S. Imposes Visa Ban on DRC Officials Over Corruption.
June 26th, 2018
After the suspension of several senior officials of the Democratic Republic of Congo who were accused of corruption affairs linked to the electoral process of the DRC, the United States Department of Homeland Security has decided to impose a visa ban on them.
The names of the officials will remain unknown; however, they believe that with this measure will make a statement and send a message that the US government is dedicated to fighting corruption.
“Today’s actions send a strong signal that the US government is committed to fighting corruption, to supporting credible elections that lead to DRC’s first peaceful and democratic transfer of power,” stated the press release issued by the State Department.
This happened shortly after the billionaire Dan Getler from Israel was sanctioned by the US Treasury, as he was suspected of making a great amount of fortune through corrupt mining and oil deals in the DRC, using the connections of his close friend President Joseph Kabila who succeeded his assassinated father Laurent in 2001.
His intentions were to stop President Kabila from delaying the elections which were scheduled for December 23, this year, which would enable Kabila to seek a third term.
Diplomat Michael Hammer will be sent by the US as an ambassador to the country, with a previous history as an ambassador in Chile between 2014-2016.
“Today’s actions send a strong signal that the US government is committed to fighting corruption, to supporting credible elections that lead to DRC’s first peaceful and democratic transfer of power,” as the US embassy in Kinshasa tweeted.
