Riots over bid to extend mandate for Congo leader

KINSHASA, LUBUMBASHI, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) – Riots broke out Tuesday on the streets of the Congolese capital city Kinshasa and the city of Lubumbashi, a few hours after the opposition leader asked people not to recognize President Joseph Kabila’s authority as his constitutional mandate is over.

Confrontations between demonstrators and security forces left several protesters injured while an office of the ruling party was set ablaze, witnesses told Anadolu Agency.

In Lubumbashi, the country's second-largest city, riots mostly affected the Matshipisha district, an opposition stronghold.

Witnesses said the police shot live ammunition at protesters, injuring many people.

The disturbances followed opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi’s challenge to Kabila, whose last constitutional term came to an end Monday.

"I solemnly appeal to the Congolese people not to recognize the authority of Joseph Kabila and to peacefully resist the coup accomplished with the blessing of the Constitutional Court and the international community," Tshisekedi said in a video broadcast Tuesday on Congolese media.

On Monday evening a transitional government to lead the country until the next elections in 2018 was announced on state TV, in line with a deal signed last October between the government and some smaller opposition parties.

The country’s main opposition parties boycotted both the dialogue and the final agreement. The agreement was validated by the Constitutional Court.

In power since 2001, Kabila was elected in 2006 and reelected in 2011. The opposition suspects him of maneuvering to seek a third unconstitutional mandate.

The DRC has seen several anti-Kabila demonstrations in the past few months as opposition parties and civil groups call on the president to step down at the end of his two-term mandate this month.

In late September, at least 53 people – including seven women, two children, and four police officers – were killed in Kinshasa, according to the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO).