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World - Reuters
Reuters
Strike Over Vote Paralyzes Congo Capital

Fri Jan 14, 1:52 PM ET
Add to My Yahoo! World - Reuters

By David Lewis

KINSHASA (Reuters) - A strike brought the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (news - web sites) to a standstill on Friday as public transport shut down and businesses remained closed in protest at the possible postponement of elections.

 

Much of normally bustling Kinshasa - a city of some 6 to 8 million people which sprawls by the banks of the Congo river - was deserted because of the strike, also called to protest at the killing of demonstrators earlier this week.

"This is a sign that the people are taking on their responsibility," university student Adolphe Ngungu said at a deserted bus stop at Victoire, usually a busy hub for commuters. "Nothing has been done to organize elections."

Local human rights organizations say at least four people were killed on Monday when police used tear gas, batons and AK-47 rifles to stop thousands of demonstrators reaching the center to demand elections take place by June 30 as planned.

"Our aim is to show people we are not happy with what happened on Monday. But we are also upset with the way that this country is being led," Ngungu added.

Opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi said his UDPS party had launched legal proceedings against the authorities, accusing them of homicide and causing serious injuries on Monday.

Tshisekedi gave a higher toll for the violence, saying seven people had been killed and 31 seriously injured.

"The Congolese people must put pressure on the government to maintain the date of the 30th of June -- we will make ourselves heard," he warned, saying the constitution might allow for a postponement but the population would not accept it.

KEY ROLE IN PEACE PLAN

The elections are a key part of a 2003 peace plan following a five-year war that killed an estimated 3.8 million people, mainly as a result of starvation and disease.

But the transitional government of former foes remains deeply divided and preparations for the elections are behind. The head of the central electoral commission said last week the vote might have to be postponed.

South Africa's foreign minister on Friday urged Congo and the international community to work toward June elections rather than begin discussions about a possible delay.

It was not clear who was behind the strike in the former Belgian colony, previously called Zaire. It was announced in leaflets calling for a "ville morte" -- a dead city.

Schools and the city's market were closed while main roads were largely empty, except for small groups of people walking to work and squads of heavily armed riot police on patrol.

Residents said the demonstration was the first of its kind since protests against dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in the 1990s.

Many Congolese seem increasingly disillusioned with political leaders, who are arguing over ministerial posts while three laws crucial to the election have yet to be passed.

Former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba has threatened to leave the government by the end of this month.

 

The government spokesman said some civil servants had got to work but many had been stranded by the lack of transport.

"They (the organizers) are playing on the fear of the population. That is illegal -- they can't stop people from going to work," declared Henri Mova Sakanyi.

The Federation of Congolese Businesses said the private sector had also been paralyzed by the lack of transport.


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