AFRICA/DR CONGO - "Risk of an imminent crisis" warns the UN

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - The Democratic Republic of Congo, whose President Joseph Kabila, yesterday September 26, was received in audience by Pope Francis, remains on the brink of the precipice, after the incident between police and demonstrators in recent days.
During the talks between the Holy Father and the Head of the Congolese State "particular attention was paid to the serious challenges posed by the current political situation and the recent fighting in the capital", said the Vatican Press Office. "The importance of collaboration between the political actors and representatives of civil society and religious communities was stressed, in favor of the common good, through respectful and inclusive dialogue for the stability and peace in the Country".
The international community is increasingly concerned about the situation in the DRC. "The large number of civilian victims, the burning of the headquarters of various political parties and the increasingly tense situation are a clear warning that a major crisis could break out very soon", warns the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.
While in the capital, Kinshasa, the victims of the clashes (32 according to police, between 50 and 100 for the opposition) are being commemorated, the negotiating situation remains blocked. National dialogue, which should set a date for the presidential elections, is suspended.
Meanwhile the situation in the provinces threatens to degenerate. Not only those from the East, such as North Kivu, for decades at the mercy of various armed gangs and guerrilla movements, not all Congolese, but also in Kasai-Central, in whose capital, Kananga, there was a battle for the control of the airport (see Fides 26/09/2016). The local governor said that the dead in the clashes between soldiers and militiamen of traditional late chief Kamwena Nsapu, are 49, including 27 militants, 16 soldiers and policemen, and six civilians. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/09/2016)

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