DRC: sharp tensions between supporters of Tshisekedi and Kabila in the National Assembly

The People's Palace, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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In the DRC, as pro-Tshisekedi deputies and others from the opposition want to bring down the office of the National Assembly so far controlled by the Kabila camp, clashes between militants from both camps erupted in the enclosure of Parliament.

Police have deployed, but tension persists.

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With our correspondent in Kinshasa, 

Since this morning and for the second consecutive day, the situation has been very tense in Parliament.

Pick-ups, roadblocks ... Hundreds of police officers were deployed this morning.

The tension was exacerbated when Jean-Marc Kabund, the interim president of the presidential party, the UDPS, joined in the hemicycle the deputies demanding the resignation of the pro-Kabila president of the Assembly, Jeanine Mabunda, and of his office (the collegial body that runs the lower house).

►Also read: DRC: first tensions between supporters of the former head of state Kabila and President Tshikedi

Broken chairs, destroyed furniture ... A real row brawl broke out in the National Assembly between the president's activists and those of his predecessor.

Those in the Kabila camp wanted to prevent the holding of the plenary session supposed to examine the petitions filed last weekend.

It was officially the Secretary General of the National Assembly, Jean Nguvulu, who had summoned it.

But there is some confusion around what has happened in recent days. 

Imbroglio around the Secretary General of the National Assembly 

On Saturday, Kabila's FCC said that Jean Nguvulu had been kidnapped by the presidential camp.

Even today, members of his family complained on a local radio that they had not seen him since.

Witnesses confirm to have seen him in the precincts of the Assembly and the petitioning deputies assure them that it is the pro-Kabila who sequestered him.

Much confusion therefore reigns as the presidential camp promises that the debate and the vote on these petitions must take place this evening.

It remains to be seen what will be the reaction of Joseph Kabila's camp, which denounces the illegality of this entire procedure. 

The Joint United Nations Human Rights Office in Kinshasa " 

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