Congo tensed; bishops withdraw from talks

Isolated unrest broke out in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital yesterday after Catholic bishops withdrew from their role as mediators between the government and opposition in talks aimed at paving the way for delayed elections this year. Demonstrators, some burning tyres at city crossroads, took to the streets in several areas in Kinshasa. In one instance, police fired tear gas to disperse a small group of youths. Many shops remained closed and some schools called parents to collect their children, a Reuters witness said. President Joseph Kabila’s mandate ran out in December but polls were not held due to what the government said were budgetary constraints, sparking violent protests at the end of last year in which security forces killed at least 40 people. Congo’s conference of Catholic bishops (CENCO) helped negotiate a Dec 31 deal aimed at avoiding a political crisis by ensuring an election this year to elect Kabila’s successor.