Officials cancel final day of campaigning in DR Congo after clashes

Officials cancel final day of campaigning in DR Congo after clashes

2011-11-28 02:21:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

KINSHASA (BNO NEWS) -- Kinshasa Governor Andre Kimbuta on Saturday canceled all rallies marking the end of the presidential campaign in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo after violence erupted.

President Joseph Kabila and opposition candidates had planned to hold their final rallies in Kinshasa on Saturday before Monday's presidential and parliamentary elections. But clashes erupted between members of rival political parties near the Kingasani district in eastern Kinshasa.

Officials said one person was killed and several others were wounded. Police fired into the air to separate the two camps and arrested several people, Radio Okapi reported.

The spokesman for the provincial government of Kinshasa, Therese Olenga, said the decision was made in consultation with the provincial committee for security and is intended to "preserve public order and social peace." She said the governor's decision was motivated by the escalation of violence in the city, including on the road leading to Ndjili airport, where all three candidates were due to arrive before their rallies.

Earlier this month, the United Nations (UN) expressed alarm after receiving reports of several human rights violations during the pre-electoral period in the DRC. The organization warned that such incidents could threaten the democratic process and result in further post-electoral violence.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC (MONUSCO) released a detailed report that documented 188 violations apparently linked to the electoral process that occurred between November 1, 2010 and September 30 of this year.

According to the report, the violations most frequently infringed individuals' freedom of expression, the right to physical integrity and the right to liberty and security of the person, as well as the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

"Taking into account the violent events following the 2006 poll, the 2011 elections will constitute an important challenge for human rights, security and the consolidation of democracy in the country," the report stated.

The UN report also urged the Congolese Government, political parties, and the international community to intensify cooperation with civil society, to issue public messages calling for state agents and promote peaceful participation in the electoral process. It also called on supporters, particularly the youth, to refrain from violence and to respect national laws and the public order.

The November 28 elections will mark the country's second democratic elections since its independence in 1960.

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