The Democratic Republic of Congo is under pressure to lift current ban on demonstrations in the country after the UN Security Council on Monday demanded that the government relaxes its stance on protests.
The DRC government under Joseph Kabila imposed the ban ahead of key elections which could see an end to the tenure of the president.
Following a meeting by the council on preparations for the December 23 elections, members urged DRC authorities to put “an end to restrictions of the political space, and encouraged them to lift the blanket ban on demonstrations.”
Polish Ambassador Joanna Wronecka, who holds the council presidency this month, told reporters after the meeting that lifting the ban on demonstrations will be vital for a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the elections.
The current ban was imposed in September 2016 after anti-Kabila protests turned violent leading to some deaths.
Joseph Kabila who had refused to exit power peacefully took over as president from his father Laurent who was assassinated in 2001.
Source: Africafeeds.com
