After 13 years at the helm, General Gabriel Amisi has resigned from his position as president of DR Congo’s AS Vita Club.
“President Amisi has asked me, on his behalf, to say a word of thanks to the whole Vita Club family for the trust he was shown during his 12-year mandate as head of Vita Club. 12 years ago Vita was completely on the street. It had to be organized to be where it is today. It is a time of joy and regret. His body needs to take a little rest since it also has responsibilities in the country, ” Dr. Patrice Noha, advisor to the club’s marketing directorate said.
“He felt he had served Vita Club enough for 12 years and the time had come to retire as president. Whenever the need arises, he will provide support. He leaves, but he leaves to the team all the players, all the real estate in favor of the team,” he concluded.
Despite the announcement, Amisi’s letter of resignation still has to be ratified by the members of the Supreme Council of the club.
Major General Gabriel Amisi Kumba was Chief of Staff of the Forces Terrestres, the army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was implicated by Human Rights Watch in the execution of soldier Joe Lona Bifuko and in the torture of prisoners in a military intelligence detention center in Goma in 2001.
He became famous for the repression of a mutiny in Kisangani in May 2002. On 22 November 2012, Amisi was suspended from his position in the Forces Terrestres by president Joseph Kabila due to his alleged role in the arms sales to rebel groups in the eastern part of the country.
Known as “Tango Four”, Amisi became president of AS Vita Club on March 27, 2007, and achieved moderate success. He notably led the Black Dolphins to 3 titles in Linafoot (2010, 2015 and 2018). On the continental scene, they came painfully close to glory. First, they lost the 2014 CAF Champions League final on the away goals rule after their two-legged contest with ES Setif of Algeria ended in a 3-3 draw.
There was also heartbreak in the 2018 CAF Confederations Cup final in 2018 after they narrowly lost to Raja Casablanca 4-3 on aggregate.
AS Vita Club is one of the most successful teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo claiming 14 league titles, nine Coupe du Congo titles and the CAF Champions League in 1973.
However, support for Amisi had been divided among fans for a while. Some supporters called for his resignation while many feel that he had performed well considering that Vita Club could not match the financial clout and resources of giants TP Mazembe.