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KINSHASA. — The Democratic Republic of Congo Armed Forces (FARDC) on Tuesday foiled an attempt by an armed group to take control of Goma airport in the east of the country, security sources told Xinhua.
“The assailants came at around 4:30 am (local time) and attacked soldiers guarding the airport, while other assailants tried to break into banks,” the same source said.
“Their objective was to take control of Goma town, then demand dialogue with the government,” the source continued, adding that three of the captured assailants confirmed belonging to a movement created by former rebel leader Mbusa Nyamwhisi who is currently living in a foreign country.
North Kivu governor Julien Paluku said the attack was repulsed by FARDC, adding that an assailant was killed and three others injured while one soldier lost his life.
He said investigations had been launched to know the identity of assailants and their motives.
Meanwhile, President Joseph Kabila on Tuesday held talks with Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, the Archbishop of Kinshasa, as well as other religious leaders, as part of a series of talks he has initiated with various sections of the Congolese society.
Besides the Archbishop of Kinshasa, the president also held talks with a delegation of the Orthodox church, the Congo Independent churches as well as customary leaders.
All the religious and customary leaders who met the president expressed their support for the principle of dialogue in DRC.
“We must have dialogue if at all we know what we want. And it appears that the president understands the objectives of this dialogue,” Cardinal Monsengwo said after meeting with the president.
“I believe the president is examining all that we told him. I think if the political class says we should respect constitutional deadlines, the president will understand,” the Catholic church leader said.
President Kabila has initiated consultations with leaders of political parties and civil society groups with a view of organising transparent, democratic and peaceful elections.
His proposal for dialogue has however been rejected by some opposition political parties such as the Union for Congolese Nation of Vital Kamerhe, Movement for Liberation of Congo of Jean-Pierre Bemba, Christian Democrat of Eugene Diomi Ndongala and Engagement for Citizenship and Development of Martin Fayulu.
The opposition parties argue that the proposed dialogue was only meant to facilitate the “extension of Kabila’s presidential term.”
According to the timetable published in February by DRC’s National Independent Electoral Commission, the country will hold local, provincial and senatorial elections starting October 2015, and later hold presidential and legislative elections in November 2016. — Xinhua.
Online Reporter