KINSHASA – Seven Congolese musicians detained during a raid on a pro-democracy meeting were released on Thursday, a day after four foreign activists accused of fomenting unrest were expelled, the Kinshasa government said.
Democratic Republic of Congo’s security forces arrested around 40 people – including musicians, journalists and a U.S. diplomat – last weekend in a swoop on a news conference organised by a local youth group in the capital.
The arrests highlighted political tensions in Congo, where President Joseph Kabila is due to stand down at elections next year although critics believe he may look to extend his time in power. They also strained ties with the U.S. government.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
The U.S. embassy in Kinshasa has acknowledged partially sponsoring the news conference.
Government spokesman Lambert Mende said the musicians, who had been scheduled to perform in an outdoor concert following the event, were released on Thursday morning.
Mende said he didn’t know how many others arrested on Sunday remained in custody. He said on Wednesday that detainees would be charged or released “very soon”.
Sylvain Lumu, a lawyer representing Filimbi, the Congolese youth movement that organised the event, said that at least seven people remained in detention. Another activist was detained on Thursday, he said, without giving any details.
The U.S. diplomat was released on Sunday after a brief detention but Kinshasa accused Washington of meddling.
Mende said on Wednesday the U.S. government had no right to organise political events in Congo. Washington has previously said the activists at the event were respected and non-partisan.
The three Senegalese and one Burkinabe activist who were accused of teaching armed insurrection to Congolese youth left Congo on Wednesday evening after being expelled.
The African pro-democracy activists who were arrested favour presidential term limits and have been involved in organising protests against state leaders trying to extend their time in power in their home countries.
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The political climate in Congo has been tense since at least 40 people were killed in January during violent demonstrations against a revision of Congo’s electoral law that opponents said was meant to delay a presidential vote scheduled for next year.
Kabila, president since 2001, is constitutionally barred from standing for a third, elected term next year. Mende has said Kabila will respect the constitution but the president himself has not commented on the issue.(Reuters)
