Militiamen in eastern Congo attacked a prison on Monday, engaging in gun battle with security forces amid heightened tensions as President Joseph Kabila’s last term in office ends.
Report said no election was held to choose a successor to Mr. Kabila , whose mandate had expired and opponents said it was an attempt to cling to power in defiance of the constitution.
Fabrice Kakubuzi, a local activist in the eastern city of Butembo told journalists that “since early morning on Monday, there have been incursions by the Mai Mai militia.
“They wanted to liberate prisoners at the central prison.
“They want to take advantage of the day to liberate prisoners,’’ Mr. Kakubuzi said.
A police spokesman said the militiamen were trying to loot but had been pushed back by security forces.
A presidential election was postponed until April 2018 because of logistical and financial problems and some opposition leaders agreed that Mr. Kabila could remain in office until then.
The constitutional court has also ruled that Mr. Kabila, who had been the country’s president since his father was assassinated in 2001, can stay on.
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