AFRICA/CONGO DR - Clashes and tension awaiting the final announcement of the presidential vote outcome

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "Kinshasa continues to be heavily guarded by the police, while waiting anxiously for the final announcement of the presidential election results by the Supreme Court before December 20, the deadline set by the Constitution for the inauguration of the new President", local Church sources told Fides from the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), that for safety reasons cannot be cited. It was announced that the Supreme Court will make known its say-so on December 17.
The provisional results of the presidential elections held on November 28, published by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), which proclaimed outgoing President Joseph Kabila as the winner, are contested by the opposition and several independent election observers. The opposition leader and Kabila's main challenger, Etienne Tshisekedi, has called "the population to protect his victory through peaceful demonstrations".
"Unfortunately, even when demonstrations are peaceful they may end very badly", the sources told Fides. In fact, according to agency sources, several opponents were wounded when soldiers of the Republican Guard intervened to disperse peaceful demonstrations in some cities in Congo. "We live awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court, hoping that good sense and the culture of peace prevails" conclude our sources. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/12/2011)