The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Highest Court, has ended Former Warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba’s bid to stand in this year’s Presidential election, upholding an earlier ban imposed on him for bribing witnesses.
Announcing the ruling, the Constitutional Court, confirmed Jean-Pierre Bemba resorted to bribery.
Later this month the International Court in the Hague will sentence Former Vice President Bemba for bribing witnesses during his war crimes trial.
Mr. Bemba was one of a number of Presidential hopefuls who appealed a decision by the Election Commission to ban them from running for President at the December 23 election.
DR Congo, a former Belgian colony has not seen a peaceful transition of power since 1960.
Current president, Joseph Kabila, who has held office since 2001, says he will not run again.
Some experts fear the current crisis may spiral into bloodshed.
