GABORONE, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Botswana President Seretse Khama Ian Khama on Friday urged President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila to adhere to the constitution of the central African nation.
In his farewell message to the residents of Francistown, situated some 430 km northeast of the country's capital, Gaborone, Khama said his Congolese counterpart must respect the rule of law and freedom of assembly.
"The president of DRC must comply with the rule of law and abide with the constitution," said Khama when addressing scores of Batswana (citizens of Botswana) who thronged the Francistown stadium to bid him farewell.
The polls in DRC were scheduled to be held by the end of 2017, under a political deal with the opposition aimed at avoiding bloodshed after Kabila refused to step down when his second mandate ended in December 2016.
Khama urged African countries to benchmark on Botswana and implement democratic principles in their respective nations.
Khama lamented that failure to adhere to the constitution has resulted in some leaders abusing powers, thereby impoverishing their nations.
Late last year, the United Nations (UN) Council members called on Congolese authorities to take all the necessary measures without delay to ensure that this new elections calendar is scrupulously adhered to.
