Olivier Kamitatu Etsu

Olivier Kamitatu in 2005

Olivier Kamitatu Etsu (born 17 April 1964 in Brussels) politician of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and former Planning Minister in the government of Matata Ponyo Mapon and the leader of the Alliance for the Renewal of Congo (ARC) political party. Kamitatu is the President of the Africa Liberal Network.

Career

Kamitatu was a member of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo of Jean-Pierre Bemba who was appointed Speaker of the Transitional National Assembly. However, he was suspended by Bemba and founded the Alliance for the Renewal of Congo.

The ARC allied with the RCD-K-ML of Antipas Mbusa to form the Forces for Renewal, who backed Mbusa in the 2006 presidential elections. In the end, Mbusa decided to stand aside in favour of Joseph Kabila before the election and the Forces for Renewal joined the pro-government coalition Alliance of the Presidential Majority. The ARC won 2 seats in the election to the National Assembly.

Forces for Renewal joined the government of Antoine Gizenga in 2007 and Kamitatu became Planning Minister. Kamitatu is also a member of the political bureau for Together for Change, the opposition political coalition formed by former Katanga governor Moïse Katumbi to support his presidential bid in the upcoming 2018 presidential election.

Personal life

Kamitatu is the son of Cléophas Kamitatu, a politician who was heavily involved in Congolese independence.

See also

• Christophe Mboso N'Kodia Pwanga
• Jeannine Mabunda
• Gabriel Kyungu wa Kumwanza