This is actually bad news.

Don't get me wrong. Joseph Kabila was a vicious kleptocrat who ruled Congo for too long.

But what makes him a truly extraordinary figure is that after mass protests and international pressure, he said he was ready to voluntarily resign. Most African leaders would rather burn their country to the ground rather than resign.

The international community and his successor promised Joseph Kabila that would not be prosecuted. So Kabila decided to leave office. There was an incredibly peaceful transition of power. No one imagined it would be possible in Africa.

There is one law that all political scientists agree about : Monarchies are the political systems the most likely to transition to democracies.

Why ? Because a powerful monarch like King Abdullah of Jordan can give up political power. He will keep his bodyguards, his big salary, his cars, his palaces. He will see no changes to his lifestyle.

Presidents like Vladimir Putin or Abdelfattah Sisi can't do that. If they give up power, it's over 💀

If dictators know that leaving power means their death, they will fight to death rather than resign.

Dictator Mobutu Sese Seko overthrown by Laurent Kabila.

Laurent Kabila assassinated.

Laurent's son Joseph becomes corrupt leader.