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DR Congo

Crisis in Central Africa Update 30 May 1997

Growing unrest continues to reflect discontent with the new government of self-proclaimed President Laurent Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Opposition supporters again have taken to the street protesting the exclusion of their leader Etienne Tshisekedi from the interim government Kabila announced last week. As a result of two earlier protests, Kabilas Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo banned street demonstrations and political party activity. This prompted Faustin Uma Unen, press secretary for Tshisekedis Union for Democracy and Social Progress, to comment, "We are astonished that the alliance is using the methods that the former dictator was using."
Kabilas Foreign Minister, Bizima Karaha, defended the decision to ban political activity and protest marches saying "We cannot have democracy if theres no peace. We cannot have development if there is no peace. So anybody who wants to create instability is an enemy of democracy, is an enemy of development, is an enemy of progressive forces."

Kabilas presidency was made official on Thursday, May 29th when he was sworn in as president. Regardless of the internal dissent, Kabila retains the support of South African President Nelson Mandela, who said he still trusted Kabila's commitment to democracy.