BREAKING NEWS

Congo security forces crush rival swearing-in plan

By REUTERS

DECEMBER 23, 2011 13:13

KINSHASA - Congo security forces squashed an attempt by top opposition figure Etienne Tshisekedi to swear himself in as president on Friday, blocking him in his residence and teargassing and arresting his supporters.

The clashes come after President Joseph Kabila was named winner of a Nov. 28 election that was rejected by the opposition over allegations of fraud, and criticized by international observers for procedural chaos and irregularities.

Kabila was sworn in for a new term in the vast central African state on Dec. 20.

Riot trucks and pickups loaded with police carrying teargas grenade launchers and rifles zoomed through Kinshasa's streets, while tanks and heavy armed republican guard sporting red berets were deployed inside the stadium grounds where Tshisekedi had planned his rival swearing-in ceremony.

The poll was the second since a 1998-2003 war that killed more than 5 million people, and was meant to shore up the country's fragile gains at stability.

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