A new platform of opposition parties and civil society organizations have called on Moïse  Katumbi to be their candidate for presidential  election.

After the G7 group of political parties endorsed the former Katanga Governor, Moïse Katumbi Chapwe last March as their candidate for the upcoming presidential election, another platform of 16 political parties and civil society organizations called Change for the Republic, have joined the endorsement caravan.

The opposition platform declared their support for Katumbi on May 1, 2016 in a rally in the town of Fikin in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  One of the opposition leaders, Delly Sesanga, President of the « l'Envol et coordonnateur de l'Alternance pour la République, » party  explained that they have chosen Katumbi as their candidate owing to his experience, popularity, legitimate fight  in resolving youth unemployment and fight against poverty.

Delly Sesanga, RFI cited, further said by choosing Katumbi their candidate, they aim at the transformation of the country through a common programme he would pilot. Reports say, the platform is the third political grouping to declare Katumbi their candidate for the presidential election expected in November 2016.  A group of nationalists started the calls and were followed by the G7 group of political parties.

Mr Katumbi has reportedly not yet made a declaration with regard to the various calls. International Business Times cited him of saying after the G7 declared their support for him that he was honoured to have their confidence.  As for accepting the offer, he was quoted as saying that, "I will give my position on the candidacy soon but the priority today is to agree on a common candidate.” He said he was continuing consultations in Europe for the unity of the opposition. He further declared that, "I am also consulting all the forces to have a single opposition candidate."  One official of the G7, Didier Molisho justified their choice by the fact that, "Moise Katumbi Chapwe presents the ideal profile to assume such leadership and realise the common programme in government of the G7."

Moïse Katumbi resigned from the ruling People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) in September 2015 after accusing President Joseph Kabila of attempting to subvert the constitution and stay in power.