Clashes in run-up to DR Congo election

There remains a tense atmosphere in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo after violence at pre-election rallies left at least one person dead.

Supporters of President Joseph Kabila and main opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi fought running battles in the capital Kinshasa on Friday, as police fired tear gas to disperse the rival groups.

There are unconfirmed reports that up to four people are dead.

This is the second election in the country since a five-year civil war that ended in 2003. Eleven candidates are running for president and more than 18,000 are standing for the 500-seat parliament.

Final rallies ahead of Sunday’s poll were due be held on Saturday but the violence prompted the authorities to ban any such gatherings.

Kabila and his two main rivals had planned to hold meetings within several hundred metres of each other near the city’s main stadium.

Copyright © 2013 euronews