WASHINGTON (AP) – A simmering political crisis in Congo that the U.S. and its allies have been unable to defuse is stoking fears in Congress that one of Africa’s largest countries is on the verge of slipping into widespread violence.
Tension is building in Congo over President Joseph Kabila’s maneuvering to avoid national elections and remain in office beyond his constitutionally permitted term, according to U.S. officials and members of a coalition opposing Kabila. The Obama administration has threatened to sanction anyone who undermines security and democracy in Congo. Yet that warning has so far failed to sway Kabila and members of his government, who’ve been accused of cracking down on political foes and activists in a bid to remain in power.
“It’s a really dicey situation,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of several lawmakers who’ve used their oversight role to draw greater attention to conditions in Congo. McCain last month wrote to the Congolese ambassador in Washington, telling him that the advocacy group Human Rights Watch has documented dozens of cases of arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention.
A delegation of Kabila’s political opponents traveled to Washington earlier this week to urge the administration to act quickly against Kabila and his top aides. Sanctions could include freezing the overseas assets of key figures and a ban on travel visas.
“President Kabila has deliberately sabotaged the electoral process,” said Olivier Kamitatu, a member of Congo’s national assembly and Kabila’s former minister of planning. Kabila, he said, has instituted a “policy of chaos and fear.”