Olivier Kamitatu Etsu

Who is Olivier Kamitatu Etsu?

Olivier Kamitatu Etsu is a former rebel leader and politician of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the current Planning Minister in the government of Antoine Gizenga and the leader of the Alliance for the Renewal of Congo political party.

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.