A U.N.-brokered truce between fighters loyal to the Democratic Republic of Congo's two remaining presidential candidates appeared to be holding Wednesday. After three days of fighting between men loyal to the incumbent president and a former rebel leader, a relative calm returned to the capital.
The center of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, began to return to normal Wednesday, with people going back to work and some vehicles and vendors returning to the usually bustling streets.
 |
| Joseph Kabila |
Military representatives of the two politicians, who are due to take part in a run-off election for Congo's presidency at the end of October, met late Tuesday and agreed to a ceasefire and the return to original positions.
On Wednesday, small groups of nervous-looking soldiers from both sides still wandered around the streets and the occasional crackle of gunfire could be heard.
But the automatic fire and heavy thuds of the street fighting during the last three days has come to an end.
U.N. peacekeepers have deployed in strategic positions around town. Some were out patrolling the main boulevards to ensure they remained clear. Others formed a cordon around Mr. Bemba's house, which had been attacked by the presidential guard.
A European Force, which was reinforced Tuesday with extra soldiers from nearby Gabon, is using helicopters to patrol the city by air.
 |
| UN troops on patrol in Kinshasa, Aug. 22, 2006 |
Related articles
- • Felix Tshisekedi Sworn In as DR Congo President (January 24, 2019)
- • Constitutional Court Declares Tshisekedi Winner of Presidential Election (January 19, 2019)
- • Felix Tshisekedi Vows to Be the President of All Congolese (January 10, 2019)
- • Felix Tshisekedi Elected DR Congo President (January 10, 2019)
- • DR Congo Delays Results of December Election (January 6, 2019)
- • Botswana Urges Joseph Kabila to Step Down (February 26, 2018)
- • No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
- • US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
- • Felix Tshisekedi accuses INEC of illegally prolonging Kabila's mandate (October 24, 2017)
- • DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Candidate Moise Katumbi (May 19, 2016)
- • Papa Wemba Is Buried in Kinshasa (May 4, 2016)
- • Papa Wemba Awarded Highest National Honor as Thousands Pay Tribute (May 2, 2016)
- • Rights Groups: DR Congo Must Free Pro-democracy Activists (April 13, 2015)
- • Police Open Fire on Crowd Protesting Election Law Change (January 19, 2015)
- • Etienne Tshisekedi Evacuated to Belgium for Medical Treatment (August 16, 2014)
- • Kerry Calls on Kabila to Honor Constitution (May 4, 2014)
- • Kerry in DR Congo for Security Talks (May 3, 2014)
- • DR Congo Takes Chairmanship of COMESA at Summit in Kinshasa (February 26, 2014)
- • DR Congo Honors Nelson Mandela, Hero and Model for Humanity (December 6, 2013)
- • Kabila Congratulates Congo Army for Defeating M23 Rebels (October 30, 2013)
- • DR Congo Eases Process for Starting a New Business (June 3, 2013)
- • Regional Leaders Sign DR Congo Peace Deal (February 24, 2013)
- • The M23 Rebels Want to Overthrow Kabila? Nonsense (November 28, 2012)
- • Protests Against M23 Rebels, Government and UN Spread (November 22, 2012)
- • Thousands Protest M23 Capture of Goma, Turn on Government and UN (November 21, 2012)
- • DR Congo Officials Vow to Defend Goma Against M23 Rebels (November 19, 2012)
- • At high-level meeting, Ban urges political solution to crisis in eastern DR Congo (September 27, 2012)
- • US Cuts Military Aid to Rwanda Over Support to Rebels in DR Congo (July 21, 2012)
- • DR Congo, Rwanda Sign Pact to Fight Rebels in Eastern Congo (July 15, 2012)
- • Police Investigate Former Prime Minister for Corruption (May 14, 2012)
