Democratic Republic Congo’s President Joseph Kabila has been in power since 2001 when his father was assassinated in 2001. Photo Credit: Reuters
A gun battle was reported on Monday in the eastern Congo city of Butembo after militiamen attacked a prison there.
A local activists, Fabrice Kakubuzi is reported by Reuters news agency to have said that the militiamen want to take advantage of the political crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo to free prisoners.
Reuters quoted Kakubuzi as saying that “Since this morning, there have been incursions by the Mai Mai (militia). They wanted to liberate prisoners at the central prison, they want to take advantage of the day to liberate prisoners.”
Spokespersons for the police in Congo asserts that the militiamen attempted looting property. There is heightened tension in the country on the last day of President Joseph Kabila’s mandate as the opposition threaten a massive street protest.
The Congolese leader’s final term in office expires without an election to choose a new president. There is anger among his opponents who accuse him of clinging to power.
Elections in Democratic Republic of Congo have been rescheduled to at least April 2018 with Mr. Kabila securing a deal with some opposition leaders to remain in place until then.
President Kabila has been in power since his father was assassinated in 2001.
Source: Africafeeds.com
