- Title: Opposition launches general strike demanding elections by end of year
- Date: 8th August 2017
- Summary: KINSHASA, DRC (AUGUST 8, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING ALONG MARKET STREET (SOUNDBITE) (French) NTUMBA ARNOLD, SAYING: "I am not in favour of this general strike, its better that we work as we need to work. With this action, the ones who are paying the price, are the ordinary people." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING PAST CLOSED SHOPS AND EMPTY MARKET STANDS (SOUNDBITE) (Lingala) SELLER IN THE MARKET, MAMAN JEANNE, SAYING: "Sir, they want to kill us for our own country, they are just lying to us, to distract us but we want to have elections being organised so we, the people, could elect someone to be our president, someone in whom we can trust so our children would have a better life. This is what we want. We do not need wars or useless conflicts, we really do not need that, we just want to have elections being organised. That's all I have to say." VARIOUS OF CLOSED SHOPS IN THE CENTRAL MARKET VARIOUS OF LOCKS ON THE DOOR OF A SHOP VARIOUS OF CARS DRIVING DOWN THE MAIN AVENUE
- Embargoed: 22nd August 2017 19:22
- Keywords: DRC Kinshasa elections general strike opposition President Joseph Kabila
- Location: KINSHASA, DRC
- City: KINSHASA, DRC
- Country: Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016TAS3T3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Congo's opposition party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) called for general strike, 'Dead City', on Tuesday (August 8) to warn the government it must hold elections before the end of the year.
The general strike was partially observed throughout the country, with some markets and shops closed in the capital Kinshasa.
The two-day general strike will continue on Wednesday (August 9).
Opposition is growing to President Joseph Kabila, who refused to step down when his mandate to govern expired in December.
On Monday (August 7), clashes between Congolese security forces and anti-government sect Bundu dia Kongo killed at least 14 people. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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