Calls for guards to be reduced ahead of DRC poll

A world conflict-prevention group has warned that contenders in the second-round vote in the Democratic Republic of Congo should have their armed guards reduced to prevent violence in the country. The second-round is expected to take place later this month.

The warning came after 23 people were killed in August clashes between armed supporters of President Joseph Kabila and his nearest challenger, Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba. This was after the announcement of the poll results, which gave 44% of the vote to Kabila and 20% to Bemba.

In a report, the International Crisis Group said that the private guards, who do not form part of the regular DRC army, posed a security threat to the next step in the election.