DRC: Intl actors condemn protest violence, killings

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - As the situation in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa regains calm, key international actors are condemning the recent violence which, according to police, claimed 17 lives.

The violence erupted on Monday and Tuesday after what was supposed to be a peaceful opposition demonstration against President Joseph Kabila went wild when protesters hurled stones at police and police retaliated with gunfire.

Criminal investigations department senior officer in Kinshasa, Louis Mbura said, ''The situation in Kinshasa is back to normal. Although some shopkeepers were afraid to open their shops today, but those that opened are operating normally.''

He added that over 60 people have been arrested in various parts of the country for causing chaos during the demonstrations.

Kabila's term of office ends early this December but the nation’s electoral commission said elections cannot be held as stipulated in the Constitution because the registering of voters is still ongoing.

Although police put this week’s death toll at 17, opposition parties claim more than 50 died.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement that he is concerned about the violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

''The Congolese authorities should ensure that the national security forces exercise the utmost restraint to face demonstrations,'' he said, also calling on political leaders to resolve their differences peacefully and through dialogue.

Ban’s special representative in the DRC, Maman Sambo Sidikou, reiterated the UN’s condemnation of the violence in a statement.

-The rule of law and human rights

Similarly, the European Union condemned the violence and killings in the DRC demonstrations this week.

''It is the individual responsibility of all stakeholders, including the heads of institutions of justice and security, which must act in strict accordance with the rule of law and human rights,'' said an EU statement.

The UN mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, called on political actors to refrain from acts that could lead to death and destruction of property.

Charles Antoine Bambara, MONUSCO’s public information director, issued a statement saying, ''We call for an investigation to establish the responsibilities of each side in relation to what happened on Monday. The investigations should take place as soon as possible. ''

Catholic bishops in DRC also condemned the killings and acts of violence, declaring today a day of mourning for those killed in Monday and Tuesday’s riots.

DRC's interior minister, Evariste Boshab condemned the violence, saying that it was unfortunate that 17 people, including three policemen died, and also decried the property damage.

He said those responsible will face justice in court.

Jean Marie Mboso, a senior official of the opposition Lumubisist progressive movement party, said, ''It is unfortunate that the security agencies shot at unarmed civilians and killed them. Although the police said only 17 people died we have counted over 50 dead bodies.”

Government spokesman Lambert Mende requested that investigations establish if security agencies were guilty of misconduct during the demonstrations and that those responsible be punished.