Resistance Against Kabila Enters Decisive Stage The people of DRC want Kabila to quit presidency at the end of his reign in 2016 At least 40 people were killed on Wednesday in the latest spate of mass riots against the government of President Joseph Kabila, 11 more others were killed Monday, medical sources say, as the political turbulence spread across the country. The unprecedented bloodshed has since sparked off condemnation from Human Rights groups and western countries. The United States expressed “deep concern” after a second day of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following the National Assembly’s passage of electoral legislation and as the Senate began consideration of similar legislation. The legislation seeks a national census across the vast and mineral rich country before the next presidential elections are held. But protesters claim the move is intended to prolong Kabila’s stay in power for three more years after the expiry of his term of office in 2016. Experts say due to the rugged terrain of the country coupled with poor transport infrastructure, government needs about three years to conduct a successful national census exercise. The Senate will today make a historic decision on whether the National Assembly’s earlier decision of holding a national census is tenable. Kabila is also thought to be harbouring plans of amending the Constitution to allow him serve a third term in office. This website understands that resistance against Kabila’s government entered a decisive stage on Wednesday, with the Catholic Church throwing its weight behind the protesters. Cardinal Laurent Mosengwo Pasinya said in a statement that the Catholic Church “disapproves of and condemns any revision of the electoral law.” He described as “illegal” plans to push the election further, warning security forces against “killing your people” and “walking over their dead bodies.” The Catholic Church is a powerful bloc in DRC. Cardinal Pasinya has previously condemned political violence in the country. He also was critical of Kabila’s government when it benefitted from rigged the elections in 2011, saying the exercise was “not free and fair.” Diplomatic sources told this website that the Church’s public pronouncement will boost the morale of protesters to resist the proposed electoral reforms. They further revealed that several opposition leaders had been detained in connection with the violence. It is understood that following international condemnation of police brutality, government yesterday deployed the Republican Guard forces to quell the violence thus opening live fire into crowds. Mass riots were also reported at Kinshasa University where police used teargas and live ammunition to disperse students. “The United States is troubled by reports of widespread violent demonstrations, looting, unlawful arrests, and violence against protesters,” said the State Department. “We call upon all Congolese security forces, as well as civil society and opposition members, to exercise restraint and refrain from acts of violence.” U.S., which recently warned Kabila against manipulation of the Constitution, further stressed the “importance of protecting political space and ensuring that all citizens have the right to peacefully assemble and exercise their rights to free speech.” It added: “The right to free speech is a cornerstone of democracy and critical to a credible and transparent electoral process. In this regard, the United States is also alarmed by reports that internet sites, text messaging services, and radio stations have been shut down. The United States reiterates its support for peaceful, credible, and timely elections in the DRC in accordance with the Constitution.”
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:46:49 +0000
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