Categories: Technology

Protesters demanding better services from Airtel arrested in DRC

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 03:23 pm

Some 36 activists of the citizen group Lutte pour le changement (Lucha) were arrested in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, after demonstrations against the telephone operator Airtel, the movement told AFP on Saturday.
Thirteen were transferred to the central prison and 23 to the prosecutor’s office, a Lucha spokesman said.
They are being sued for “harmful charges” (defamation) against the Congolese subsidiary of Airtel, an Indian telephone operator, according to this spokesman, Steward Muhindo.

Protester’s demands
They were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday after a sit-in earlier this week in Goma in front of Airtel, one of the three major operators in the
DRC.
Lucha had already mobilized in May to demand better services at more affordable costs in a country where average income does not exceed two dollars a day.
Lucha also wants the operator to geo-locate child abductors in this city whose residentss regularly denounce insecurity.
Lucha has received support from 36 Congolese human rights organisations.
“It is deplorable to note that young people who remind Airtel of its obligations are physically assaulted, arrested and tortured, with the guilty silence of the leaders,” they wrote.
Government improving on human rights
The new President Felix Tshisekedi believes that he has improved the human rights situation since his inauguration on 24 January (release of activists, closure of illegal detention facilities, return of opponents, timid opening of the state channel RTNC to pluralism).
Last week, he received a representative of the
NGO Human Rights Watch, Ida Sawyer. The interview focused on “the progress made and the work to be done to improve respect for human rights and the fight against impunity,” according to the Twitter activist.
This was her first return to the DRC since she was invited to leave in 2016 by the regime of former President Joseph Kabila.

AFP

TAGS:
Tags: DR Congo
Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

Africa and GCC Trade Doubles to $121 Billion

Trade between African and GCC countries stands at $ 121 billion in 2023, double of what it was in 2016.…

December 22, 2024

Families in Mayotte rebuilding their homes complain of lack of help

Family members struggling after one week after  of Cyclone Chido ripped through the French island territory of Mayotte expressed helplessness…

December 21, 2024

Ethiopian PM Inaugurates UAE-Funded Orphanage in Oromia

The United Arab Emirates has launched its orphanage project in Ethiopia's Oromia region on the orders of President Sheikh Mohamed…

December 21, 2024

A Rising Femicide Threat, Kenya’s Call to End Gender Based Violence

In just four months, 100 women have been killed, the majority by males they knew including spouses. Prime Cabinet Secretary…

December 20, 2024

Actor C Confion has passed away

The Ghanaian entertainment industry is in deep mourning following the sudden death of Bright Owusu, better known as C Confion.…

December 20, 2024

South Africa: 512 Accident Deaths and 941 Arrested for Drunk Driving Just on December Month

Since the beginning of December more than five hundred people have lost their lives on the nation's highways. Barbara Creecy,…

December 19, 2024

This website uses cookies.