More than 100 dead in 48 hours of protest, DRC opposition claims

Opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo claims that more than 100 people have been killed in the 48 hours of violence that erupted in Kinshasa.

This was revealed by Bruno Tshibala, spokesman for the largest opposition party.

Thousands took to the streets of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, on Monday to oppose an election delay which they call an effort by President Joseph Kabila to stay in power beyond the end of his mandate in late December.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch statistics show that at least 44 people – including 37 demonstrators and six police officers – have been killed in the protests.

The Human Rights Watch further revealed that twenty people were killed in clashes on Monday and another 17 on Tuesday.

However, the government of DRC maintained that the death toll stood at 17 and that Human Rights Watch’s statement was a “typical” exaggeration by the group.