After extensive violence over concerns that President Joseph Kaliba will defer calling an election, a presidential election date has been set for November 27, 2016. This is considered a huge victory for protesters if not for democracy in Congo.

Kabila is constitutionally barred from running again, but he has so far refused to comment on his future, leaving some people still apprehensive if he will in fact step down.

In late October 2014, the suspension of the Burkina Faso presidential elections sparked such a reaction and popular uprising that the government of President Blaise Compaoré was deposed in only four days. That sent shock waves through every African presidential palace. Kabila is well aware of those events, so I’m optimistic that Congo will see a transition to new leadership.

The Vice News 9 minute video report on the fall of Compaoré is excellent journalism. https://news.vice.com/video/revolution-in-burkina-faso-the-fall-of-compaor