AFRICA/CONGO DR - High tension in Kinshasa, the police have banned Tshisekedi’s oath

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – High tension in Kinshasa, capital of Democratic Republic of Congo, where police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators gathered in front of Etienne Tshisekedi’s house and the Stadium of the Martyrs. In the sport’s system the opposition leader should take oath today, December 23. Tshisekedi has in fact rejected the election results held on November 28 which give the victory to President Joseph Kabila and has appointed himself Head of State. The authorities have banned Tshisekedi’s swearing-in ceremony, and have deployed a massive security apparatus in the capital. In the meantime, some organizations for the defense of human rights have denounced several cases of arbitrary arrests, disappearances and torture, committed by law enforcement officers, since November 28 until today. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/12/2011)