Congo riot police fire tear gas at thousands protesting election delays

KINSHASA, Congo (AP, 7/1/05) — Black-clad riot police fired tear gas Thursday to disperse thousands of demonstrators protesting delays in Congo’s first postwar presidential elections.

KINSHASA, Congo (AP, 7/1/05) — Black-clad riot police fired tear gas Thursday to disperse thousands of demonstrators protesting delays in Congo’s first postwar presidential elections.

Up to 10,000 demonstrators, many carrying the banner of a leading opposition party that called for the march, marched toward the parliament building in the capital, Kinshasa, where they met phalanxes of riot police who fired tear gas, sending crowds scurrying.
 
“The government says elections will take place but we don’t believe they’re serious. We want to demonstrate, but the police are everywhere, they won’t let us,” said Patrick Belani, an unemployed 30-year old.
 
Occasional gunfire could be heard, but it was not immediately clear who was firing or on whom or whether there were casualties. Police, some wearing black masks, could be seen arresting protesters. There was no immediate word on any injuries.
 
Lawmakers have postponed presidential elections originally due for Thursday – balloting meant to end a postwar transitional administration set up in the wake of Congo’s 1998-2003 war. The vote has been rescheduled for March 2006.