/ 1 February 1999

DRC POLITICAL BAN LIFTED

THE Democratic Republic of Congo government repealed on Sunday a ban on political activities in force since President Laurent Kabila took power in May 1997. The government also laid down stringent requirements for the registration of parties. First, according to official television, parties now create a forum of at least 300 delegates coming from all of the DRC’s 11 provinces. Secondly, each party must put down a non-refundable deposit of 30000 Congolese francs (about $10000). Some leaders of the current uprising in the DRC blame the political ban for their rebellion.