Kabila confronts the opposition and the United Nations
President Joseph Kabila called the Central African country's electoral process "firmly engaged" despite a vote that has been delayed for more than a year.
The latest violence flared on January 21, when security forces opened fire on Catholic-organised demonstrations, killing six, injuring scores of others and arresting dozens, according to figures released by the United Nations mission MONUSCO.
"I am not [and] ... will never be against peaceful protests by political parties", Kabila, wearing a dark suit and tie and sporting what has become his trademark goatee, told journalists in the presidential palace.
The suppression of protests, triggered by Kabila's refusal to step down at the end of his mandate in December 2016, has prompted anger from clergy and civil rights groups and condemnation from Western powers.
"He said despite this huge budget "we are on the right track" since the electoral law has been promulgated, the electoral calendar published while the law on the distribution of seats awaits for the conclusion of the registration exercise in provinces in Kasai".
A Church-brokered accord in December 2016 allowed the president to stay in office, alongside an opposition head of government, pending elections by the end of 2017.
At the press conference, the president called on Congolese people to make courageous decisions so that they do not have to spend so much money just to hold elections.
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"We must take the most courageous options and decisions not to fall or fall back into the situation with a budget of 1.2 billion for elections, while we have a total budget of 6 or 7 billions", added the Congolese president. "Is that what the opposition wants - question mark?" he said rhetorically.
The UN this week also blamed Congolese "state agents" for 1 176 extrajudicial killings a year ago. Observers have warned that the political uncertainty is fuelling violence and could destabilize the region at large.
A spokesman for the U.N. Stabilization Mission confirmed the organization had recorded six deaths and dozens of injuries in Kinshasa when demonstrations were staged after Masses Jan. 21.
Kabila said Congolese forces were building capacity to combat security issues head-on.
"Do we have security problems?"
In a January 22 report, the bishops' conference said "peaceful marches" had been "violently repressed and smothered with tear gas and bursts of fire" in 95 Catholic parishes, leaving six dead and 127 injured, some by police bullets. You can not buy independence.
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