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Mobutu's opponents shut down Zaire's capital
Demand ouster of president
April 14, 1997
Web posted at: 12:23 p.m. EDT (1623 GMT)KINSHASA, Zaire (CNN) -- The Zairian capital of Kinshasa came to a standstill Monday as millions of residents observed a strike called by opposition leaders to force the ouster of President Mobutu Sese Seko.
Shops were closed, public transportation was shut down, schools were empty and streets deserted.
"We want change," said Willy Kashama, a Kinshasa resident who observed the strike. "We're willing to accept anyone, even the devil should he arrive, if it will bring change."
"We're willing to accept anyone, even the devil should he arrive, if it will bring change."
-- Willy Kashama
Government soldiers, who last week violently dispersed an opposition march, kept a relatively low profile, patrolling key intersections. At one point, they fired shots into the air to break up a crowd outside the home of ousted Prime Minister Etienne Tshisekedi. No injuries were reported.
Opposition leaders had called for the strike among Kinshasa's 5 million residents to put pressure on Mobutu to step down. Kinshasa is Mobutu's last major stronghold in Zaire, where rebels have seized half of the nation in less than seven months.
Rebels reportedly capture strategic town
On the war front, rebels reported more major gains. Rebel leader Laurent Kabila said Monday that his forces on Saturday had captured Kananga, one of the last major cities under government control. There was no independent confirmation of that claim. He added that the rebel offensive to topple Mobutu was pressing on toward Kinshasa.
Rebels contend Mobutu, whose net worth is estimated at more than $5 billion, has illegally enriched himself while leaving the nation impoverished during his nearly 32-year reign.
With the situation escalating, Japan, France and Belgium have begun evacuating some of their citizens from Kinshasa. U.S. Ambassador Daniel Simpson said there was no heightened readiness for an evacuation of the U.S. Embassy.
U.N. chief urges cease-fire
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed to the international community Monday to press Kabila to accept a cease-fire agreement and work toward a negotiated solution to end Zaire's crisis. Annan also urged Mobutu to discuss the situation with Kabila.
"The stakes are high. If we are successful, Zaire could begin to move in the direction of national reconciliation, democracy and prosperity," Annan said in the statement. " If we fail, it will mean misery and stagnation for millions of people in the region."
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Related sites:
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- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Crisis in Central Africa
- Official web site of Zaire
- Zaire Watch
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