Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


110 Political Prisoners Released in DRC

by Nick Long

   KINSHASA, D.R.C. --

   The Democratic Republic of Congo's government on Friday announced the
   release of another wave of prisoners in response to demands from
   opposition parties as a precondition to their involvement in a
   political dialogue in Kinshasa.

   Last week, the government responded by releasing eight pro-democracy
   activists and another 170 prisoners held for various offenses.

   On Friday, the justice minister signed a ministerial order for the
   release of 110 prisoners held in connection with political activities.

   The names -- mainly people from Katanga province -- were put forward by
   a group of political parties known as the G7, according to dialogue
   facilitator Edem Kodjo.

   In previous liberations, there was not a significant number of
   prisoners from Katanga who were included, Kodjo said.

   Leading oppositionist Huit Mulongo, the cabinet director for former
   Katanga Governor Moise Katumbi, was not listed among the people to be
   released.

   Authorities, however, would deny that Mulango is a political prisoner,
   as he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment last month for illegal
   possession of a firearm.

   Human Rights Watch said last week that it had documented at least 20
   long-term political prisoners who remained in detention in DRC,
   including leaders of political parties. It was not clear whether any
   were among the 110 listed for release.

   Samy Badibanga, an opposition politician taking part in the dialogue,
   welcomed the latest releases as proof that the dialogue was achieving
   results. Each of these measures was positive, he said, adding that he
   hoped there would be more such measures in the future.

   During a dialogue debate Friday, the ruling coalition and opposition
   maintained opposing positions on the order of upcoming elections. The
   opposition wants presidential elections to be held first, while the
   ruling coalition wants local elections held first.