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.