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Congo police fire at protesters

January 19, 2015

There have been clashes in the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, between police and protesters opposed to electoral changes that could prolong the reign of the president. Unrest was also reported in the east of the country.

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Proteste in der Nähe von Kinshasa Archiv
Image: Kannah/AFP/Getty Images

Police fired tear gas at the crowd of several thousand protesters who'd gathered in the streets of Kinshasa. There were also clashes in the eastern city of Goma on Monday. Journalists reported people with bullet wounds in both cities.

In Kinshasa, tires were set on fire with smoke billowing into the air. The crowds threw stones at police.

The demonstrators are opposed to a revised election law that could delay elections until next year. Under the changes, a nationwide census would be carried out before elections, potentially delaying them by years.

The government of President Joseph Kabila says the census is a necessary part of the electoral process in the country of 65 million. Critics, however, have labeled the reform a "constitutional coup."

The bill containing the changes was approved over the weekend by the lower house of parliament, and proceeds to the senate for examination.

The protests come three weeks after assailants armed with automatic weapons attacked the Congolese state broadcaster, army headquarters and the international airport, killing 40 people, according to the government.

jr/rc (Reuters, AFP)