Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- formerly Zaire --have prevented the opposition leader, Etienne Tshikesedi, from addressing a gathering of his supporters.

Witnesses said soldiers took away four of Mr Tshikesedi's supporters outside his house in Kinshasa and dozens of police surrounded the headquarters of his party the Union of Democracy and Social Progress, UDPS.Meanwhile, President Laurent Kabila confirmed his ban on political activity.

In a national address marking the anniversary of the assassination of Congo Kinshasa's Independence leader, Patrice Lumumba, President Kabila said if he had let all political parties operate, there would have been four-hundred militias in Kinshasa.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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