Protesters gathered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital and at least one other city on Monday amid a heavy military presence before protests are 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. Reuters reports that 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.
Opposition activists have accused Kabila of trying to cling to power by letting his term run out without an election to chose the next leader of Congo, which has not witnessed a peaceful change of power since independence in 1960.
“Kabila’s mandate finishes at 1159 … Tomorrow (Tuesday) it will be chaos,” said Hugue Ilunga, 21, as dozens of soldiers deployed nearby in the capital, an opposition stronghold of 12 million people.
Shops shut in other parts of Kinshasa, where streets were largely empty.
At least 80 protesters were arrested in the eastern city of Goma, the U.N. human rights office in Congo said, mostly activists who were simply wearing red shirts, an opposition colour. Police said nine opposition demonstrators were detained.
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