Opposition party complains of “harassment”

The opposition political party, the Union for Democracy and Social Forces (UPDS), has criticised the work of “armed elements dressed in army uniform” for causing panic near the home of party leader Etienne Tshisekedi on Wednesday night last, rebel-controlled radio Uvira reported on Sunday. A party statement also protested the “relentless harassment” of the UPDS, including the arbitrary arrest of its activists held in remand and an ongoing police crackdown against political activities, the report added. Meanwhile, National Director of Police Services Major Kashogon Kitenge announced on Thursday that it was still forbidden for individual or political groups to engage in any political activities or make political statements without being a member of a party or movement registered with the interior ministry. Kitenge issued a warning to anyone who, “defying the state authority, would, through newspapers or any other media, incite some weak minds to disrupt law and order,” state television reported.