Protesters in the Democratic Republic of Congo who are demonstrating demanding for the departure of the President, Joseph Kabila on Monday clashed with security forces.
Reuters reported that at least one police officer has been killed as a result of the clashes in eastern DRC.
The clashes occurred when the police attempted containing protesters who had barricaded roads and burned tires.
A police commander, Placide Nyembo is quoted by Reuters as saying that “We know who is behind this: politicians who work anonymously, distributing tracts and messages on the internet”.
President Kabila has refused to step down although his tenure has expired. He has also been accused of frustrating efforts at holding new elections which he is barred from participating, in what his critics say are attempts to hold on to power.
The country’s electoral commission has now said that elections can only take place in April 2019, an announcement that has heightened fear with continuous violence in parts of the country.
Activists in the eastern Congo city of Goma have also called for a strike on Monday as part of pressure to get Kabila out, according to Reuters.
Source: Africafeeds.com
