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US Orders Families of Government Personnel to Leave Troubled DRC

by VOA News

   The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for the
   Democratic Republic of Congo and has ordered families of government
   personnel stationed in the country to leave.

   The travel warning said "The potential for civil unrest is high in
   parts of Kinshasa and other major cities." Kinshasa in the DRC capital.

   "As a result of the deteriorating situation," the warning said, "family
   members of U.S. government personnel have been ordered to leave the
   country beginning September 29. Most official U.S. government travel to
   the DRC has been halted."

   Deadly clashes have broken out in the country over the presidency of
   Joseph Kabila. His last day in office is supposed to be December 19. He
   has ruled for two terms, beginning in 2001. The constitution bars him
   from seeking a third term. However, the nation's electoral commission
   says it will not be able to hold elections until late 2018.

   Kabila has not said publicly what he will do. Critics say he is
   stalling to stay in power.

   Violent protests over the delay have raised fears that this Central
   African nation might become yet another chaotic, violent political
   crisis. Diplomats say the nation's neighbors need to step up and
   encourage dialogue to end the impasse. Rights groups say the DRC
   government has acted to suppress dissent by imprisoning activists and
   violently putting down protests.