KINSHASA: Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa prevented protesters from assembling Wednesday, reporters saw, after a demonstration against recent elections was banned in the fragile central African state. Leading opposition politicians in impoverished but mineral-rich DRC called for the demonstration after rejecting last week's vote, which was marred by severe delays and bureaucratic disarray. Congolese interior minister Peter Kazadi said Tuesday the government had banned the protest because it "aims to harm the electoral process."
The opposition nevertheless had urged supporters to gather near the national assembly in Kinshasa and march to the headquarters of the country's electoral commission. Dozens of riot police were stationed in the area Wednesday morning, according to reporters.
They fired canisters of tear gas at supporters of opposition politician Martin Fayulu, who were grouped in front of his party's headquarters. Nearby, young protesters set tyres alight.
Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said on social media that the opposition must await the publication of provisional vote results and address complaints about the electoral process to the Constitutional Court.
Some 44 million voters were registered to vote on December 20 in concurrent elections to choose a president, national and regional lawmakers, and municipal councillors.
But the electoral commission struggled to get voting materials to polling booths on time in the huge country -- roughly the size of continental western Europe -- leaving some people unable to cast ballots.
Voting was officially extended by a day to account for the problems, and even lasted until Christmas Day in some remote areas.
The opposition claimed there was "total chaos" and denounced irregularities. - AFP
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