More than 25 people have been killed in attacks on Congo opposition party headquarters and in street clashes between security forces and demonstrators against a delayed presidential election, an opposition leader said Tuesday. Witnesses said calm has returned to central Kinshasa by Tuesday afternoon, though there were reports of clashes in the suburbs.
Advertisement
Congo has never experienced a peaceful transition of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. “We can’t accept such behavior in any country and I want to condemn that”, Hollande said.
VOA saw security forces stopping at least six people who looked to be foreign observers and loading them into vehicles.
France on Monday voiced deep concern over unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo as it urged President Joseph Kabila to make clear a timetable for elections.
“The decisions president Kabila and his government will make in the coming weeks can make all the difference for Congo’s future”, said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
Bruno Tshibala, spokesman for the largest opposition party, said five were wounded in raids on four party headquarters.
HRW said for the sanctions to have the greatest impact, the USA should expand its list and the European Union and United Nations should implement their own sanctions.
“We are protesting to tell Kabila enough is enough, ” opposition leader Martin Fayulu told newsmen.
The official tried to provoke Perriello into a physical confrontation, reports said.
“The U.S. Government protests this treatment of its Envoy in the strongest possible terms”, a release said.
The US in June announced its first targeted sanctions against Kinshasa police commissioner, Gen. Céléstin Kanyama.
“(The opposition coalition) calls upon the Congolese population from this day forth to intensify and amplify the popular mobilisation every day until December 19”, said a spokesman for Tshisekedi’s UDPS party, referring to the day Kabila is officially due to step down. The African country has scheduled elections in November, but opposition groups fear Kabila will postpone the poll in order to remain in power.
A smaller Congolese opposition group has been meeting with the government in an attempt to organize a schedule for elections, but the main opposition has refused to participate in the talks.
Advertisement
Lobbyists at Akin Gump are also pushing for more sanctions on violent offenders and seeking support for congressional resolutions urging Congo to move forward with the election.
