South Africans operating in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC) have been advised to remain
vigilant following widespread violent
demonstrations in the capital of
Kinshasa.
The DRC has been in upheaval since
mid January following the adoption
of a draft electoral law by the National
Assembly in the country. Whilst it is still
under review there has been a massive
outcry, especially amongst opposition
parties, as the new law will effectively
delay the 2016 presidential election
ensuring President Joseph Kabila
remains in power beyond
his current mandate.
Nearly 30 people
have been killed and
countless others injured
in clashes.
Paul Runge, CEO of
Africa Project Access,
told FTW the situation
was concerning.
“It is advisable for
countries to keep a very
close watch on what is
happening and around
the political instability,”
he said. “What makes
the situation worrying is
that we are seeing incidents in areas in
the country that have always been very
stable, such as the Katanga province.”
He said with reported incidents in the
capital of Lubumbashi the situation was
a worry.
“Katanga is the South African
hunting ground and has not always
experienced the same issues as in
Kinshasa and elsewhere in the country.
It is not a province in which it is easy to
rebel. But we have seen several incidents
there and that is a concern.”
Runge said the latest violence
in the DRC capital was being
monitored closely
and while it was not
yet affecting projects
and operations in the
country, there was a
sense of niggle settling
in.
It is a sentiment
echoed across the
world with even
the United Nations
Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon saying he was
concerned over the fast
deteriorating situation
in the country.
INSERT & CAPTION
While the violence
is not yet affecting
projects and
operations in the
country, there is
a sense of niggle
settling in.
– Paul Runge
