Joseph Kabila News

Police said they had arrested 275 people across Democratic Republic of Congo as two days of protests against President Joseph Kabila appeared to subside on Wednesday.

The leader of Congo's largest opposition party is urging citizens to peacefully resist the "coup d'etat" he says President Joseph Kabila has carried out by not stepping down when his mandate expired at midnight.

At least 44 people - including 37 demonstrators and six police officers - have been killed in protests over Congolese President Joseph Kabila`s perceived bid to extend his rule, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday.

At least 17 people died on Monday in clashes between security forces and protesters angered by what they say is a bid by President Joseph Kabila to extend his rule over Africa`s top copper producer.

A long-awaited "national dialogue" to avert political chaos opened in Democratic Republic of Congo Thursday despite the absence of many opposition figures who described the event as a government "trap".