Kinshasa: Failed Coup Attempt

Democratic Republic of the Congo lives troubled moments
After a flare-up of ethnic violence in the east of the country, there was today a failed coup d'etat in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to declarations to Pravda.Ru from the Foreign Ministry.

PRAVDA.Ru office in Angola has sent us the following report.

The government of the DR Congo has gained control of the situation after a failed coup attempt by officers from the Presidential Guard, who announced that they had taken power over the institutions controlled by the interim government of President Joseph Kabila.

These elements were arrested around three hours after their declaration, without bloodshed because they did not manage to achieve any degree of support internally or externally.

However it would be unwise to discount the fact that there is growing instability in this country, which could very easily again explode into a regional and trans-national conflict.

Buvaku is again the epicentre of violence, quelled yesterday but still simmering due to ethnic rivalries. There was also a violent riot in Kinshasa yesterday in which 12 demonstrators were killed. The transitional government in the DR Congo is entering the end of its period of grace. A coalition between the former government, former rebel movements and the opposition parties seems to be nearing the end of cohabitation.

Acacio BANJA
PRAVDA.Ru
LUANDA   ANGOLA

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY
PRAVDA.Ru
LISBON   PORTUGAL