The opposition coalition filed suit against some government officials at the Supreme Court on 23 September 2016 over the killing of protesters during last week’s demonstration.
Led by key opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the opposition coalition is seeking redress from the court for the victims of the September 19 and 20 violence that claimed the lives of 32 people, according to the official toll.
Suit targets the Vice Prime Minister of Interior, who has jurisdiction over the police, and the Minister of Sports and Youth, who the opposition said “has recruited thugs and deployed them in amongst protesters to wreak havoc”. Also targeted are several senior officials of the security services.
The opposition has also declared a three-day national mourning from September 26 to September 29 for the burial of the victims of the clashes, urging the population to boycott work during the period.
Judging by the bustling life this morning in Kinshasa, the call was not heeded.
Meanwhile, the section of opposition attending the dialogue and led by Vital Kamerhe suspended its attendance provisionally with a view to resolving the crisis prevailing in the DRC.
The clashes erupted during a demonstration organised by the main opposition parties calling for an election on the original date in November and also for Kabila to step down at the end of his term on December 20.