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Etienne Tshisekedi funeral takes place in DR Congo | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Two years after his death in Belgium, a state funeral is being held for veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. | Two years after his death in Belgium, a state funeral is being held for veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
His body was only flown home on Thursday following a row between his family and the former government. | His body was only flown home on Thursday following a row between his family and the former government. |
The deadlock ended when his son, Félix, became president last year. | The deadlock ended when his son, Félix, became president last year. |
Tens of thousands of people are attending a funeral mass in a stadium in the capital, being led by Archbishop of Kinshasa Fridolin Ambongo. | |
The country's influential Catholic church had urged its members to turn out at the 80,000-capacity Martyrs' Stadium. | |
On Friday, the presidents of Rwanda and Angola, were among huge crowds to pay their respects in the same stadium in the capital, Kinshasa. | |
Analysts say the presence of Rwandan President Paul Kagame was significant, following years of conflict and enmity between his country and DR Congo. | Analysts say the presence of Rwandan President Paul Kagame was significant, following years of conflict and enmity between his country and DR Congo. |
The casket containing Etienne Tshisekedi's body remained in the stadium overnight. | The casket containing Etienne Tshisekedi's body remained in the stadium overnight. |
After the funeral ceremony, Etienne Tshisekedi will be buried at his private N'sele residence, some 40km (25 miles) east of central Kinshasa. | |
He died aged 84 in Brussels and his body was kept in a funeral parlour until it could be returned home. | He died aged 84 in Brussels and his body was kept in a funeral parlour until it could be returned home. |
On Friday afternoon, the Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa erupted in cheers as the casket containing Tshisekedi's remains entered, reports the BBC's Gaius Kowene. | |
His supporters screamed and blew whistles in the 80,000-capacity arena. | His supporters screamed and blew whistles in the 80,000-capacity arena. |
The campaign to bury Tshisekedi's remains in his home country faced obstacles from President Félix Tshisekedi's predecessor, Joseph Kabila. | The campaign to bury Tshisekedi's remains in his home country faced obstacles from President Félix Tshisekedi's predecessor, Joseph Kabila. |
For his supporters, Tshisekedi coming home represents a victory over the former government, our correspondent says. | For his supporters, Tshisekedi coming home represents a victory over the former government, our correspondent says. |
A life of opposition | A life of opposition |
Tshisekedi spent decades in politics but failed in several attempts to become president. | Tshisekedi spent decades in politics but failed in several attempts to become president. |
He served as interior minister under the country's authoritarian leader Mobutu Sese Seko, before joining the political opposition. | He served as interior minister under the country's authoritarian leader Mobutu Sese Seko, before joining the political opposition. |
After serving time in prison, he founded the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) in 1982 and was appointed prime minister by Mobutu, though the two frequently clashed. | After serving time in prison, he founded the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) in 1982 and was appointed prime minister by Mobutu, though the two frequently clashed. |
In 1997, Mobutu was ousted as leader in a rebellion led by Joseph Kabila's father, Laurent. | In 1997, Mobutu was ousted as leader in a rebellion led by Joseph Kabila's father, Laurent. |
Tshisekedi became an opponent of the new regime, and of Joseph Kabila after Laurent Kabila was assassinated in 2001. | Tshisekedi became an opponent of the new regime, and of Joseph Kabila after Laurent Kabila was assassinated in 2001. |
He boycotted DR Congo's elections in 2006, alleging vote fraud, and was beaten in a 2011 race marked by allegations of widespread voting irregularities. | He boycotted DR Congo's elections in 2006, alleging vote fraud, and was beaten in a 2011 race marked by allegations of widespread voting irregularities. |
Félix Tshisekedi won a bitterly contested election last year. It marked the first peaceful transition of power since DR Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960. | Félix Tshisekedi won a bitterly contested election last year. It marked the first peaceful transition of power since DR Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960. |
However, several observer groups believe that another opposition candidate, Martin Fayulu, was the rightful winner. | However, several observer groups believe that another opposition candidate, Martin Fayulu, was the rightful winner. |
Since coming to power, President Tshisekedi has agreed to work with the party of former President Joseph Kabila. | Since coming to power, President Tshisekedi has agreed to work with the party of former President Joseph Kabila. |
All pictures subject to copyright | All pictures subject to copyright |