Tens of thousands of Congolese rally to demand Kabila step down
DRC President Joseph Kabila reviews troops in Kinshasa on December 20, 2011 at his swearing-in ceremony. Picture: AFP
Reflecting Kabila's persistent popularity among many of Congo's nearly 68 million people, tens of thousands of government loyalists held a counter-demonstration a day after Tshisekedi's return, calling for the president to stay on.
Protests against a potential poll delay have in the past turned violent and authorities arrested dozens of critics of Kabila in April, although last week's rallies were peaceful.
