Off the wire
Australian Open Results (updated)  • Plans to create new 'Chinatown' in British city win go-ahead  • Vietnam's chief justice says no restricted area in combating corruption  • Winter Nadam kicks off in Inner Mongolia  • News Analysis: Strives in Yemen dimming prospect of political transition  • Unemployment rises in Jordan in Q4 of 2014  • East China province reports 14 H7N9 cases this winter  • Pakistan needs 1 bln USD to rehabilitate terrorism-hit people: minister  • 24 arrested in major anti-mafia operation in Italy  • News Analysis: Italian PM struggles to rein party ahead of presidential election  
You are here:   Home

UN Mission deplores loss of lives in DR Congo clashes

Xinhua, January 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

The UN Mission for Stabilization of Congo (MONUSCO) has deplored loss of human lives during protests against the proposed electoral law in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) capital Kinshasa, a UN source said Tuesday.

"I want to condemn the deaths and injuries that occurred during protests on Monday morning, and the use of too much force by the security forces," said Head of the MONUSCO, Martin Kobler.

The UN official said the use of force by the security forces should always be proportionate, and should always be the last resort.

Sources said, in parts of Kinshasa, shops were looted and buses razed down.

"I also want to appeal to the opposition to protest peacefully. All protests should be done calmly and within limits authorized by law," Kobler said.

Clashes between the police and those opposed to amendment of the electoral law occurred on Monday in Kinshasa, leaving a number of people dead and many others injured.

Protests also took place in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Endi