|
|
World News
|
|
|
|
|
|
Congo opposition holds rally under heavy security
KINSHASA, July 9 (Reuters) Around 10,000 Congolese protested against the government today over delays to elections meant to end a civil war, watched closely by armed riot police after demonstrations turned to bloodshed last week.
Students and activists carrying anti-government banners and palm fronds gathered next to the main stadium in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa, but refused to enter as the authorities wished, staging the rally outside instead.
They shouted songs and chants against President Joseph Kabila and members of his transition government, which includes former rebels under a South African-sponsored peace plan designed to end years of war in the continent's third-biggest country.
Etienne Tshisekedi, the head of the opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) who has led protests over the election delays, was due to make a rare public address later on.
''The authorities are scared because Congo's rightful president is going to speak. If they try to repress us the population will resist,'' said one of Tshisekedi's supporters, wearing a blue and white UDPS bandana and T-shirt.
The authorities granted permission for a rally inside the stadium, though not a street march. Around 1,000 activists travelled from the UDPS headquarters to the stadium but there was no sign of serious trouble.
A week ago, at least one person died when security forces fired bullets and tear gas to disperse a protest. Local humanitarian and other groups have put the death toll as high as 10.
Kabila denounced that demonstration as a bid to overturn the transition government and make elections impossible.
Elections had been due by June 30 but the government invoked the first of two possible six-month delays provided for under the 2003 peace deal, designed to end to years of warfare that have killed around 4 million people, mainly through war-related hunger and disease in the mineral-rich nation.
The deal, backed by the United Nations' biggest peacekeeping force with 16,700 troops, has failed to end attacks by armed gangs in the east of the country and Tshisekedi has demanded the interim government resign, accusing it of failure.
Activists at today's rally accused foreign governments of helping Kabila stay in power.
''Foreigners are supporting the dictators of this country. They are imposing them on us. We have never wanted violence but we may be forced into violence to get rid of these people,'' said UDPS-supporting businessman Pierre Omatuku.
''The whole world is crying for the British people that died in London. When will they start caring about peace and democracy in Congo?''
|
|
|
|
|
