Protesters, military on streets as Kabila”s mandate expires

Protesters gathered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital and at least one other city on Monday amid a heavy military presence before protests due once President Joseph Kabila’s mandate runs out at midnight. Hundreds of anti-Kabila demonstrators defied a ban on marches against the president’s plans to stay in office past the end of his […]

Protesters gathered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital and at least one other city on Monday amid a heavy military presence before protests due once President Joseph Kabila’s mandate runs out at midnight.
Hundreds of anti-Kabila demonstrators defied a ban on marches against the president’s plans to stay in office past the end of his term. Security forces blocked access to Kinshasa University, facing off against groups waving red cards saying “Bye, bye Kabila,” as time ticked down to midnight.
Militia fighters raided a jail in eastern Congo’s Butembo trying to free prisoners, triggering clashes that killed a South African U.N. peacekeeper and a police officer.
Seven attackers were also killed, Kabila’s chief diplomat Barnabe Kikaya told a news conference in Kinshasa.