Moïse Katumbi Chapwe - The people's governor.

Rare is the politician faced with throngs of supporters campaigning against his retirement.

In addition to being governor of Katanga Province, the country's mining heartland, Katumbi is a businessman and owns a football club.

He talked about quitting politics in October 2011, but nearly a million people signed a petition to ask the 46-year-old member of the Parti du Peuple pour la Reconstruction et la Démocratie to stay.

By the time he runs in 2013's provincial elections, Katanga will be broken up under the rules of the 2005 constitution.