The office of Congo President Joseph Kabila on Wednesday appealed for calm after two days of street clashes that left dozens dead, while accusing organizers of anti-government protests of trying to incite "bloody riots." While officials have tried to minimize government responsibility for this week's casualties, rights activists and government critics have placed blame on security forces. In an email Tuesday, Ida Sawyer, senior Africa researcher for Human Rights Watch, said "most were killed when the security forces fired on crowds of protesters." Kabila's political future has been a source of tension in Congo for well over a year. A high court has determined Kabila can stay in office until a new leader is elected.

Source: ABC News September 21, 2016 16:50 UTC