At least four people were burnt to death yesterday when the headquarters of three opposition parties in the capital Kinshasa were set ablaze.
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Sawyer said at least 20 people died on Monday and 17 were killed overnight on Tuesday.
Kabila, who has ruled mineral-rich DRC since 2001, is banned under the constitution from running for a third term – but he has given no sign of intending to give up his job.
In another sign of growing scrutiny of Kabila’s government, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Monday described the situation in Congo as “extremely worrying and very dangerous”, adding that European nations will discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions.
“We are hoping that we will be able to conduct an investigation so that those responsible are brought to justice and hopefully contribute to putting an end to the cycle of political violence”, Jose Maria Aranaz, head of the UN Joint Human Rights Office in Congo, told reporters.
The opposition parties want elections to be held so that President Joseph Kabila can be replaced when his second term ends on 19 December, but the electoral commission has failed to call the election, citing lack of funds and insufficient time to update the voting register.
Congo’s government spokesman, Lambert Mende, condemned the burning of opposition party buildings as well as attacks on other buildings, including two ruling party buildings and a school, by opposition protesters.
“This wasn’t a demonstration at all but an attempt to unleash civil war in the city of Kinshasa”, he said.
“We will seek global justice”, he said.
It has warned Mr Kabila that it will be “treasonous” to delay elections.
DR Congo has never had a smooth transfer of power since independence more than 55 years ago. But Human Rights Watch said government repression has intensified in the period leading up to the clash.
France urged Congolese authorities to ensure the “delay” in holding the next presidential election is “as short as possible”, and called on the government to respect “public liberties, especially the right to demonstrate peacefully”.
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Heavy columns of smoke were seen in many areas in the capital and in some spots heavy clashes were witnessed as protesters threw stones at police who in turn fired teargas to disperse the crowd. His father, Laurent Kabila, became president of the DRC after overthrowing Mobuto Sese Seko in 1997. Supporters of 83-year-old veteran politician Etienne Tshisekedi have vowed to defy the ban and continue their protest until he’s driven from power.
