Global Cobalt Corp GLBCF

US, France threaten DRC with sanctions after deadly protest

[DRYOASIS]

The US and France have threatened to impose targeted sanctions on senior officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo after at least 17 people were killed in demonstrations organised by the opposition to protest against President Joseph Kabilas apparent bid to cling to power after his term ends. Evariste Boshab, the DRC interior minister, said 17 people were killed in Mondays protests in the capital Kinshasa and other cities, which he described as an attempted uprising. Opposition politicians and human rights activists put the death toll as high as 53. Mr Kabilas second term as leader of one of Africas most resource-rich countries is due to end on December 19 but he has not said that he is going to step down and no preparations to hold an election have started. He has also charged Moise Katumbi, one of his main challengers, with hiring mercenaries as part of an alleged plot to topple him. Most opposition parties believe the ruler who has been in power since his father Laurent was shot in 2001 wants to stay in power for as long as possible. Independent analysts say it could take up to 18 months just to update the electoral roll in the country that is four times larger than France but with a population of about 80m and wracked by myriad internal conflicts and rebellions. In addition to having one of the worlds richest copper deposits, the DRC is also a large exporter of other minerals including cobalt and diamonds. https://weresist.org/2016/09/20/us-and-france-threaten-drc-with-sanctions-after-deadly-protest/