Protest in DRC over insecurity
2009-11-01 09:36
Kinshasa - Tens of thousands of demonstrators staged a protest in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday to call for an end to insecurity in the conflict-torn region, a regional leader said.
Almost 40 000 people took to the streets in protest at violence in the area, which is plagued by Rwandan Hutu rebels who have been blamed for recent deadly attacks, said Joseph Dalikwisha.
"The population is calling for peace, an end to violence, pillaging and rapes," said Dalikwisha, head of Lubero city in eastern Nord-Kivu province.
Vehicles were damaged during the march and the windows of a non-governmental organisation were smashed when protesters threw stones, he said.
Eastern DR Congo is an unstable region and home to Hutu rebel group the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a force of around 6 000 fighters.