News Analysis: Kinshasa paralysed by protests against electoral law

Violent protests by opposition supporters against the proposed electoral law have threatened to completely paralyse activities in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

Several protests organized by opposition political parties against the bill whose debate in the Senate began on Tuesday, were reported in various other Congolese provinces such as North Kivu, South Kivu and Katanga.

In Kinshasa, schools, banks and other private businesses have not opened since Monday. Martin Fayulu, an opposition parliamentarian, said at least 20 protesters were killed on Monday.

Joseph Olenga N'Koy, president of the opposition-leaning New Forces for Unity and Solidarity (FONUS) said three of his party's supporters had been killed in various Kinshasa communes.

"In Ngaliema commune in western Kinshasa, two public transport buses were razed down by protesters but no deaths were reported," a police source that did not wish to be named said.

"I think the situation is going to degenerate and we risk to have a Burkina Faso experience," said Frank Mbuti, a political analyst who believes "soon the security forces will not shoot at the protesters and may turn against the government."

A statement issued by the Kinshasa provincial inspector Celestin Kanyama urging the population to go on with their normal activities seems not to have been heeded.

A source from the Permanent Committee of the Congolese National Episcopal Conference said the organization will meet soon to discuss the country's future.

Some television stations, including the Catholic television station, have been shut down by the government.

The opposition has organized these protests to contest an extension of President Joseph Kabila's term beyond Dec. 19, 2016.

"The new electoral law will condition holding of elections on the results of a population census, yet it will take at least three years to have the results of the census," said Vital Kamerhe, the leader of the Union for Congolese Nation (opposition).

"Heaven will not fall if elections are not held in 2016," said Lambert Mende, the Congolese government spokesman.

Tuesday, several senators criticized the proposed law and urged Intrerior Minister Evariste Boshab to withdraw it, but the latter said it was difficult to withdraw a bill that the government has presented in parliament.

"A general population census was one of the recommendations that emanated from the national consultations. You demanded for a census and we shall have to carry it out," said Adolph Lumanu, the director general of the National Office of Population Identification.

"CENI took two months to register 32 million voters and me I will need less than that because I have already began the work," Lumanu said. Endi