The strike notice was issued by a coalition of political parties and civil society organisations allied to the two main opposition parties in parliament, and the Group of Seven (G7), consisting of parties that quit the presidential majority last November.
“We haven’t sold anything since this morning, look how the fish have dried, there are no customers, we even lowered the price. The few people you see here just live nearby.” Philo, market vendor, Kinshasa
“The government has positioned the police in different parts of the city, that’s what scared people off coming to the market. So we had people going to work, but here in the Central Market, it’s empty, what do we do? We need the government to take things seriously, that the Head of State understands that his entourage is lying.” Clement, market vender, Kinshasa
Opposition leaders believe that Kabila wants to get round the constitution to run for office again, after his final mandate expires in December. Kabila’s critics say his call for dialogue is a ploy.
Joseph Kabila took over power in 2001, after his father, Laurent Kabila was assassinated
“We have travelled across the city and we saw that people were already at their bus stops early in the morning, but there were transport difficulties…. Generally, extenuating circumstances may be granted to all Congolese workers for following the government’s order, for having turned up to work.” Willy Makiashi,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour
The protest was also timed to mark the February 16 anniversary of a bloody crackdown on the “Christian march” of 1992, when thousands rallied in a bid to persuade then ruler Mobutu Sese Seko to open the way for democracy.
