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.