UN blames DRC government for tension, tells it to pull back

THE UN rights chief directed blame yesterday at DR Congo’s government for surging political tensions that sparked deadly clashes in the capital Kinshasa this week.

“The authorities need to pull back from their extremely confrontational position and build bridges with the opposition,” Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said.

The comments came after the worst unrest in Kinshasa in more than a year, with police confronting opponents of President Joseph Kabila.

The government said 32 people had been killed during two days of clashes, while the opposition said more than three times that number had died.

Opposition groups had organised demonstrations on Monday to demand the resignation of Kabila, who has ruled since 2001 and, under the constitution, should step down on December 20.

Kabila has yet to call elections, fanning fears he plans to stay in power.

Recent events, including civilian deaths and attacks on opposition party headquarters, “provide a stark warning that a large-scale crisis could be just around the corner”, Zeid said. “The writing is on the wall.”

A fragile calm appeared to have been restored in Kinshasa yesterday as security forces brought the wave of violence and looting to an end.

Meanwhile, in eastern DR Congo, an attack blamed on Uganda rebel group the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) had left seven dead, the army said.

“The ADF killed seven people and burned down houses in Kasinga in the Beni region,” army spokesman Mak Hazukay said, with fighting between soldiers and the rebels ongoing.

Official Gilbert Kambale said 15 houses had been set on fire and five people were reported missing.

The ADF, a partly Islamist armed group, is accused of a litany of human rights abuses and being involved with kidnappings and smuggling.

The region around Beni is plagued by various rebel groups, with the violence fuelled by ethnic rivalry and disputes over mining and forest resources.