6 killed as Congo security forces, protesters clash

Bloomberg

At least six people died when security forces clashed with anti-government protesters in the Democratic Republic of Congo capital, the United Nations said.
Police and soldiers fired teargas and live rounds to disperse thousands of Catholic Church worshipers as they left morning services in Kinshasa and attempted to march to protest President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down. Similar scenes played out at parishes in several other Congolese cities.
Local authorities had refused to authorize the demonstrations, while organizers said they didn’t require permission. On Jan. 20, numerous roadblocks manned by the police and the military were set up as both text messaging and internet services were cut. There was a heavy security presence outside Catholic churches.
UN Mission in Congo spokeswoman Florence Marchal said at least six civilians were killed in Kinshasa. A further 57 people were injured nationwide, including 20 in Kinshasa, and 111 were arrested throughout Congo, she said. Bloomberg saw two priests and several others being beaten and then detained in the Kinshasa district of Bandalungwa. Police spokesman Colonel Pierrot Mwanamputu said on state television that police dispersed “delinquents” and “thugs” to protect the population. He said two civilians were shot dead in Kinshasa and nine police officers were injured, two seriously.
Similar clashes three weeks ago left at least 12 people dead according to the Lay Coordination Committee, a group of Catholic activists, which called a demonstration on New Year’s Eve to demand Kabila’s departure. Organisers said security forces fired teargas into churches and live rounds at worshipers preparing to march.
Kabila, who’s led Africa’s biggest copper producer since 2001, was supposed to step down at the end of his second term in December 2016 after an election to find his successor.