A Reuters witness saw two charred bodies inside the burnt-out offices of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), Congo’s main opposition party, next to empty gasoline cans.
Advertisement
“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. 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.
Joseph Kabila took over as president of the DRC after his father was killed by one of his bodyguards in 2001. A delay in the elections would allow Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his second term.
For its part, the government said that at least 17 had perished in the clashes but warned that the toll could rise further. Credible civil society reports mention 25 deaths, including the three police officers.
With the unrest forcing schools to close and halting public transport in the sprawling riverside capital, the United Nations expressed fears the situation could worsen.
Demonstrators gather in front of a burning vehicle during an opposition rally in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on September 19.
It was the worst violence in the capital since January 2015, when security forces cracked down on rioters after another opposition demonstration spiralled out of control, in violence which left several dozen people dead.
Citizens took to the street to protest the national electoral commission failure to announce a timetable for the presidential election, due to take place in November, and those demonstrations turned violent.
Activists and opposition groups have organized nationwide protests towards the end of Kabila’s term.
Diplomatic and security sources as well as residents reported clashes between the police and youths in the central and southern districts of Kinshasa, a teeming city of some 10 million.
Fighting through tears, a woman described as being aged in her 40s told AFP that her husband was inside the UDPS office when attackers hit.
Advertisement
According to the State Department official, Washington made it clear to Congo’s leaders that the election process had to be inclusive and that they had to abide by the constitution and agreements among political parties.
