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In the demonstration that was held despite the government diktat was dispersed by firing tear gas.
The DRC police fired tear gas to disperse a protest by opposition supporters in the capital Kinshasa. They were calling for a re-run of last week’s chaotic presidential and legislative elections. Analysts apprehend that the disputed poll would further convolute and destabilize Congo. The Central African country is the world’s top producer of cobalt and other industrial minerals and metals.
As reported by www.trendsnafrica.com five of President Felix Tshisekedi’s challengers in the race as well as civil society organizations, called on their supporters to join a march on Wednesday against the poll. They wanted the poll conducted fraudulently should be annulled. The demonstration was banned by the authorities on the plea that it would further disrupt civic life.
In the demonstration that was held despite the government diktat was dispersed by firing tear gas. Nearly 44 million voters were called to elect their president, their national and provincial deputies, and their municipal councilors on December 20. Due to numerous logistical problems, the quadruple voting was officially extended by one day and continued until Christmas in some remote areas.
Partial results of the presidential election place the outgoing head of state, Félix Tshisekedi, well in the lead, with some 79% of the votes. In power since the beginning of 2019, he is seeking a second five-year term.
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According to the latest available figures, relating to approximately 6 million votes counted, Moïse Katumbi, former governor of the mining region of Katanga, would come in second position, with 14% of the votes, followed by Martin Fayulu, an unsuccessful candidate in the 2018 presidential election. (4%).
The other candidates, who were around twenty, would not reach 1% of the votes. Among them, Dr Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2018 for his action with women victims of war rape, would be in 11th position, with 0.12%.
