AFRICA/CONGO DR - Waiting for the publication of the presidential election results, "people are tired of the tension, they want to return to normality," say local sources

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "The tension in the last two days has dampened a little, as shown by the resumption of traffic. The population is tired of this blocked situation, of not being able to leave the house, the shops are closed", said to Fides local Church sources from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that today, December 9, the temporary final results of presidential elections held on November 28 (the term "temporary" refers to the fact that the data released by INEC must be confirmed by the Supreme Court within one week) will be published.
The publication of the results was to take place on December 6 but was postponed due to logistical difficulties (see Fides 07/12/2011). " Tension rose on the eve of December 6, then, after the postponement of the publication of the electoral outcome, it decreased a bit. The feeling of wanting to quickly change page and return to normality prevails among the people", say the sources to Fides that for security reasons asked to remain anonymous.
"Compared to past days, however, there are new elements. Kinshasa is heavily guarded by the military and the population is a bit intimidated by their presence. There are rumors of clashes in the district of Etienne Tshisekedi (the main opponent), because the partial results so far made public now stresses the re-election of President Kabila" say our sources. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 09/12/2011)