Congo police fire tear gas at opposition demonstrators
KINSHASA, Congo – Police in Congo’s capital have fired tear gas to break up an opposition march, while one person died and dozens were injured in chaos surrounding similar marches around the country.
Thousands of opposition supporters rallied Thursday to denounce a decision by the constitutional court to allow the president to remain in power beyond his mandate. The election commission has asked to postpone November elections.
Head commissioner Mwana Mputu said 35 police were injured in Kinshasa, and vehicles were damaged by demonstrators.
North Kivu governor Julien Paluku said one person was killed outside Goma when a group of youths, separate from the demonstrators, tried to wrest a gun from a policeman.
The opposition has voiced concerns that President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, would delay elections to stay in power.
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