'We will scatter all mobs'

Kinshasa - Officials said on Friday they were prepared for more violent demonstrations in Congo and vowed to break up any opposition gatherings following a day of clashes between protesters and police that left at least six people dead.

Riot police shot tear gas and beat anti-government demonstrators with batons during protests on Thursday in Congo's capital, Kinshasa. One person was killed in the capital and five nationwide, according to the United Nations (UN).

"We're seriously prepared to face anything and will scatter all mobs and gatherings," said Benjamin Alongabony, deputy general inspector of Congo's national police.

Thursday's demonstrations were over a delay in Congo's long-awaited presidential elections, promised two years ago at the end of the country's disastrous five-year war. Elections were originally scheduled for Thursday, according to a 2003 agreement made by government and rebels at the end of Congo's devastating five-year war. Officials now are preparing to hold the vote next year.

Peaceful demonstrations

Thousands of mostly peaceful demonstrators marched with banners toward Congo's parliament, only to be met by riot police, who opened fire with tear gas and shot live rounds over their heads. Human rights groups and opposition leaders reported hundreds of arrests countrywide and many people beaten by police.

"We don't know what the opposition is planning today or this weekend, but we must continue to provide security for the people," said Congo's information minister Henri Mova Sakanyi.

On Friday, trucks filled with riot police prowled the dilapidated streets of Kinshasa, with Kalashnikovs and tear gas grenade launchers between their knees. Near parliament, UN peacekeepers poked their heads out of chalk-white armored vehicles.

Most shops in the commercial and diplomatic district of Gombe remained shuttered, while businesses slowly opened in the outlying neighborhoods.

No access to public transport

Residents said the greatest problem on Friday was lack of transportation, with most taxi drivers afraid to drive the streets.

Fatia Massismina, a 31-year-old student, walked along the crumbled streets in Victoire neighbourhood on his way to school. He'd already walked 3km. He had 9km to go.

"I'm frightened out here on foot," he said. "If something happens like yesterday, I have nowhere to go."

Thursday's demonstrations were called by Congo's main opposition party, Union for Democracy and Social Progress, who accuse Congo's government of delaying elections to cling to power.

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

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

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