Congo pardons 24 critics to ease political tension

By Aaron Ross KINSHASA (Reuters) - Congo's government announced pardons for 24 jailed critics of President Joseph Kabila on Friday in a bid to ease tension ahead of a presidential election set for November. The opposition considers the detained politicians and democracy activists to be political prisoners and the apparent olive branch may blunt international criticism of the government over its human rights record. It could also put opposition leaders on the defensive over their demand that they