June 30, 2005 - 12:36

Congo police fire tear gas at demonstrators protesting election delays

BRYAN MEALER

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) - Black-clad riot police fired tear gas and beat demonstrators with batons as thousands protested delays to Congo's first postwar presidential elections. Unconfirmed reports had up to 12 dead nationwide.

Several thousand demonstrators carrying white banners of the main opposition party marched toward parliament in the capital Kinshasa, fists held high and waving palm branches.

They were met by a phalanx of riot police, who fired volleys of tear gas and gave chase as the crowds scattered.

Dozens of police armed with Kalashnikovs raced into the surrounding neighbourhoods, dragging out demonstrators and beating them with batons. The empty boulevard was littered with shoes left by demonstrators who fled police and tear gas.

As police chased fleeing demonstrators, gunshots rang out from the narrow streets, but it was unclear who was firing.

"We've heard between four to six people have been killed in several parts of town, but that's unconfirmed," said UN spokesman Kemal Saiki. Government officials also said they could not confirm that figure.

Demonstrations also broke out in the central mining town of Tshikapa, where opposition officials and human rights leaders say at least six people had been killed by police.

Heavy gunfire broke out Thursday in the eastern city of Goma, near the Rwanda border, said UN spokeswoman Jaqueline Chenard.

Gunfire could be heard in the early afternoon near Goma's stadium, but it was unclear who was firing, said Chenard, speaking by phone from Goma.

Heavy shooting could also be heard near the city's airport.

UN peacekeepers were patrolling the capital in armoured vehicles and by helicopter, said Saiki. The world body - whose largest mission is in Congo - has also dispatched 60 human rights officials around the capital, along with unarmed military observers, Saiki said.

The demonstrations were called by Congo's main opposition party, Union for Democracy and Social Progress, to protest a delay in Congo's long-awaited presidential elections. They were scheduled to have taken place Thursday, according to a 2003 agreement made by government and rebels at the end of Congo's devastating five-year war.

Earlier this month, lawmakers extended the country's two-year transitional government - which also officially ended June 30 - and promised elections next year.

Voter registration began June 20, with over 100,000 people in Kinshasa having registered so far, election officials say.

However, many feel the progress isn't enough, accusing the government of dragging its feet in order to cling to power.

"The government promised us on June 30 elections would be organized. We've waited and now the transition is over," said Joseph Tshibala, a local opposition party leader speaking near parliament. "Congolese people are protesting against this system that's been imposed on us. We must put an end to this."

Thursday also marked Congo's 45th anniversary of independence from Belgium. While protests erupted in several areas of the capital, other parts were quiet, with crowds of children playing soccer in the empty streets.

Deadly protests also broke out in January when election officials first mentioned a possible election delay. Several demonstrators were killed when police randomly opened fire into crowds.