With under four days to the much anticipated presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, campaigns have been suspended in the capital Kinshasa.
Kinshasa governor Andre Kimbuta on Wednesday made the decision following what he termed as concerns over security.
DRC security forces have over the past few weeks been cracking down on opposition supporters which last week saw at least seven people killed.
There are also concerns following a fire that destroyed thousands of voting machines in the capital.
“The information in our possession attests that in all the political camps of the main presidential candidates, extremists have prepared and are preparing for a street confrontation in the city of Kinshasa during election campaign activities,” Kimbuta said in a statement.
He did not give further details.
The long anticipated Sunday election is expected to get a replacement for President Joseph Kabila who has been in power since 2001.
If successful, it would lead to Congo’s first democratic transfer of power.
Kinshasa is seen as an opposition stronghold.
Representatives for opposition candidates, who are challenging Kabila’s preferred successor Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, said they would release statements.
Kimbuta added that the only way presidential candidates could campaign in Kinshasa would be through the media, where Shadary has a clear advantage due to a sizeable war chest and state or ruling party control of many media outlets.
However, a rare national opinion poll in October showed opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi leading the race with 36 percent, well ahead of Shadary’s 16 percent.
