A march attended by thousands descended into violence as police and anti-government protesters clashed in Kinshasa. “I also call on all concerned political leaders and their supporters to desist from undertaking any further acts that could continue to exacerbate the situation and heighten tensions”, said Special Representative of the Secretary General Maman Sambo Sidikou. Opponents fear he is planning to extend his rule unconstitutionally.
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The violence was focused outside the ruling party office in the capital.
“He condemns the violence that has already led to the death of at least 17 people, including three police officers in the capital”, according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson in NY. The DRC’s constitution bans Kabila from running again. “If the elections keep getting postponed it means that Mr Kabila wants to stay in power by all means”, Ayrault told reporters in NY where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly.
Congo’s electoral commission has filed an election postponement request to the constitutional court, formally confirming that the November 27 date for the presidential vote will be missed.
A senior US State Department official said last week that the United States would consider additional targeted sanctions against individuals who seek to undermine Congo’s democratic institutions and the election process.
Police said in a statement that officers had been warned to use restraint ahead of yesterday’s march, adding that it would punish those who did not comply.
An Associated Press photographer saw at least four bodies Monday after demonstrators hurled rocks and police fired tear gas in the streets.
Protesters set up barricades and torched cars on one of the main roads in Kinshasa, the country’s capital.
Two charred bodies could be seen inside the offices of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) in Kinshasa on Tuesday, next to empty gasoline cans strewn across the floor, a Reuters witness said.
The French government earlier on Monday urged DRC authorities to ensure that any delay in elections is “as short as possible”.
Before the clashes, opposition activists burnt a giant poster of the president bearing a message appealing for the two sides to reach a solution to the political crisis through dialogue.
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They were beaten several times and eventually released.
