Smaller protests continue in Congo amid heavy army presence

According to Human Rights Watch, 44 people died in the violence, but the government said the death toll stood at 17. Neither the government spokesman nor the police could be reached for comment on Wednesday. The country has for months suffered simmering anger over what opponents of Congolese President Joseph Kabila believe are his efforts to hold on to power beyond his constitutional term limit, either by delaying elections or changing the constitution, as other African leaders have done.