UN beefs up peacekeeping force in DR Congo capital

Oct 19, 2016

Political tension has been mounting over President Joseph Kabila's apparent bid to cling to power.

The United Nations is moving hundreds of peacekeepers from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to Kinshasa to help deal with a possible outbreak of violence over the postponement of a presidential election, UN officials said Tuesday.

About 300 soldiers and police from the MONUSCO force will be stationed in Kinshasa, where violent protests killed 49 last month, the officials said.

"We are planning for all eventualities and have taken measures to strengthen our posture in Kinshasa," UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said.

However, the reinforcements would probably not be enough if the capital sees widespread violence, he cautioned.

"It's important to keep in mind that Kinshasa is a city of almost 11 million people and MONUSCO has neither the manpower nor the mandate to provide security," he said.

Political tension has been mounting over President Joseph Kabila's apparent bid to cling to power.

An agreement was reached on Monday to push the presidential election, set for this year, back to April 2018.

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