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Congolese President's Body Arrives in Zimbabwe
The body of Laurent Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), arrived in the Zimbabwean capital Harare Wednesday morning, the Zimbabwe News Agency reported.
Kabila died on the way when he was being flown to Zimbabwe for medical treatment after he was shot five times by one of his bodyguards Tuesday night, who was later killed by other aides of the president, top Zimbabwean government officials were quoted as saying.
Kabila was accompanied by medical doctors during the flight, the officials said, adding that the Zimbabwean government is now waiting for the DRC government to say when it will collect the body for burial in that country.
"Kabila's body was flown to Zimbabwe and it arrived early this morning," said the officials. "It was a last-minute decision to fly Kabila to Zimbabwe, but unfortunately he died on the plane. "
"I believe the reason to fly him to Zimbabwe was for security reasons to ensure that the people of Kinshasa remain calm and that there is no turmoil in that country," said an official who refused to named.
Kabila took power in the former Belgian colony of Zaire in 1997 when he ousted former president Mobuto Sese Seko after a seven- month rebellion with the backing of the then-allies Rwanda and Uganda.
The DRC has been in turmoil since 1998 when rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda launched an attack to oust Kabila, while Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia sent troops to the DRC to assist Kabila.
The DRC ministers are currently meeting in Kinshasa to choose Kabila's successor and they are expected to announce a new leader later on Wednesday.
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