Congo's Bemba says to enter political opposition
Source: Reuters
(Adds quotes) KINSHASA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Congolese former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba said on Tuesday he would go into political opposition after his presidential election defeat "to preserve peace and save the country from chaos and violence". In a statement, Bemba said he stood by his complaints against President Joseph Kabila's victory in last month's poll, which were rejected on Monday by the Supreme Court. "However, in the higher interests of the nation, to preserve peace and to save the country from chaos and violence, today I pledge before God, the nation and history to lead ... this struggle for change as part of a strong republican opposition," he said. Diplomats and analysts had feared Monday's court decision might trigger further violence after soldiers loyal to the two presidential contenders fought bloody battles on the streets of the capital Kinshasa in August and again this month. The Oct. 29 presidential run-off was the culmination of a peace process ending a 1998-2003 war which devastated the country, triggering a humanitarian disaster that has killed 4 million people and continues to kill 1,200 every day through violence, hunger and disease.
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