2 dead in anti-government protests in Congo’s capital

KINSHASA, Congo: Congolese security forces shot dead two men outside a church on Sunday while dispersing demonstrators protesting in the country’s capital against President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down from power, according to Human Rights Watch.

Catholic churches and activists had called for peaceful demonstrations after Sunday mass, one year after the Catholic Church oversaw the signing of an accord that set a new election date to ease tensions in the mineral-rich country.

Kabila, whose mandate ended December 2016, had agreed to set an election by the end of 2017. Congo’s election commission says the vote cannot be held until December 2018. Critics accuse Kabila of postponing elections to maintain his grip on power, causing tensions to increase and provoking violence and deadly street demonstrations across the country since the end of 2016.

The government refused permits for the demonstrations Sunday, and shut down Internet and SMS services countrywide ahead of the planned anti-government protests for what it called security reasons.

More than 160 churches participated in the call. Police responded with tear gas in some areas of Kinshasa.

The two men killed were shot dead outside St. Alphonse church in the Matete district, said Human Rights Watch Central Africa director Ida Sawyer.

Protests had calmed by midday, though many had also been injured and barricades remained erected before New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Congo’s election commission has set new presidential and legislative elections for Dec. 23, 2018, though the opposition has said it would only agree to delay the vote until June 2018.

Kabila can remain in power until the next election is held, although he is barred by the Constitution from seeking another term in office.