Warnings to DR Congo mount as election deadline looms

– Transparency –

International concern has also been triggered after the authorities’ decision to cut internet access, block French public-service broadcaster Radio France Internationale and force its correspondent out of the country.

“These efforts to silence dissent could backfire considerably when the results are announced,” the United Nations Human Rights office warned on Friday.

The DRC suffered two fully-fledged wars between 1996 and 2003 that claimed millions of lives through bloodshed, fighting, starvation and disease.

Bloody clashes also marred elections in 2006 and 2011.

The election was delayed several times as Kabila held on to power rather than stepping down at the end of 2016.

Authorities crushed protests and voting was further postponed in areas hit by violence.