Belgium has shortened the maximum length of visas for Congolese diplomats, in a sign of concern over the political crisis in its former colony.
A
spokesperson for Belgium's foreign ministry said it had limited the
maximum visa duration for holders of Congolese diplomatic passports from
one year to six months in response to "the overall situation" in Democratic Republic of Congo.
At
least 50 people were killed last month in clashes between security
forces and protesters angered by what opposition groups say are efforts
by President Joseph Kabila to delay a presidential vote in order to cling to power beyond the end of his mandate in December.
The
electoral commission said on Saturday that it expects the election,
originally scheduled for November, to take place in December 2018.
The country's highest court has ruled that Kabila can remain in office until a new president is elected.
Kabila,
who has ruled Africa's top copper producer since his father's
assassination in 2001, is barred by the constitution from standing in
the next presidential election.
The United States
has already sanctioned three members of Kabila's inner circle for
allegedly committing human rights abuses and blocking the democratic
process. It has threatened further sanctions.
European Union countries
have yet to impose formal sanctions, fearing that such a move could be
counter-productive and lose them influence with the government.
Some
have escalated their rhetoric since last month's clashes, however. On
Tuesday, the French foreign ministry said that the EU should consider
imposing sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations.
Congo's
government denies accusations of human rights abuse and has said that
sanctions represent an infringement on national sovereignty and a form
of neo-colonialism.
No comments:
Post a Comment