DR Congo: General strike to oust Kabila begins

Kinshasa has started observing ghost towns initiated by the opposition to force Kabila to quit power. Close to eight million residents have been advised to stay at home by shutting down businesses and bringing public services to a halt.

Many Congolese believe the political environment is so tensed for them to bear: “How can we live under such conditions. We need peace. I call on God the creator of this country to protect us because if God does not protect us those who claim to protect us will only do so in vain,” a woman interviewed in the streets of Kinshasa said.

As part of measures to mitigate the extent of the opposition’s appeal, the Congolese Government has introduced restrictions on the social media.

Twelve people died during violent clashes in Kinshasa on Monday as inhabitants called for the publishing of the electoral calendar.

“We are requesting that the Chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission should release the electoral calendar because right now there is the feeling that they do not have the intention to organise the elections,” a concerned citizen said.

The DRC has been exposed to political crisis since Joseph Kabila refused to quit power after the end of his second and last mandate.