DR Congo's opposition asks UN to protect civilians

The main opposition party of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has appealed to the UN for the protection of civilians in the post-election Central African country. The Union of Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) led by self- claimed president Etienne Tshisekedi wrote to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, asking him to provide security for civilians, the party's Secretary General Jacquemin Shabani said on Thursday. He said Congolese nationals, especially those living in Kinshasa, "have been victims of deadly attacks for several weeks now." "I think that it's important for the UN Mission for Stabilization of Congo (MONUSCO) to play its role in providing security for the civilian population," he added. The UDPS secretary general called for the increase of UN troops near Tshisekedi's residence. "We demand the protection of Tshisekedi who has been a victim of house arrest," Shabani said. On Dec. 29, Congolese opposition leaders asked MONUSCO to protect the civilian population and denounced "the blatant violation of human rights across the entire national territory." On Thursday, the UDPS's political advisor Valentin Mubake said since the announcement of the results of the Nov. 28 presidential elections, Congolese security forces have been deployed around Tshisekedi's residence. In the elections, Tshisekedi came second with 32.33 percent behind President Joseph Kabila, who got 48.95 percent. The UDPS leader rejected Kabila's victory, saying there were serious irregularities and fraud in the polls. He also declared himself the winner and president of the country.