But Martin Fayulu, a member of the opposition coalition and leader of the Commitment for Citizenship and Development party, told VOA just last week that the opposition will not participate in any dialogue with President Kabila because the African Union facilitator, former Togolese Prime Minister Edem Kodjo, is biased.
Advertisement
“Kabila, stay as long as possible”, the crowd shouted, alluding to the political controversy raging in Democratic Republic of Congo. The ruling sparked fears that Kabila could try to extend his rule by a third term.
Security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo must observe restraint in their handling of protests taking place in the capital Kinshasa this weekend, said Amnesty International today.
Tshisekedi’s supporters filled the streets for miles along the main airport road on Thursday when he returned to Congo after spending nearly two years receiving unspecified medical treatment in Belgium.
An immensely popular figure, he rose to prominence in the 1980s as a strong critic of former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
The Constitutional Court ruled in May that Kabila, who has been in power since 2001, can remain in office as caretaker President after December if the elections are delayed.
Supporters of the 83-year-old veteran politician were blowing horns and chanting anti-government slogans at his residence on Sunday before they escorted him to the grounds of the rally, AFP reports.
At the Kabila rally Friday, Meta, a sociology student at Kinshasa University, said they “were given a free T-shirt”, but denied they had received money to show up for the event.
But his supporters have said logistical problems may force a delay and have called for a “national dialogue” on the vote – an announcement that the opposition has dismissed as a ruse to postpone the poll.
On 13 May, police used tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered outside a courtroom in the second city of Lubumbashi to support of presidential hopeful Moise Katumbi, after he was accused of hiring foreign mercenaries.
Étienne Tshisekedi will join an opposition demonstration scheduled for the weekend.
Advertisement
He meanwhile urged “all the sides involved to… create the conditions” necessary to allow the talks to begin “within the next few days”.
