A deputy candidate from Tshiseked's party was shot to death

One of the deputy candidates at the level of South Kivu province in the general elections scheduled in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was killed in the city of Uvira, on December 15.

Candida Ndabuye Sadiki Espoir popularly known as Richa, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

He was a deputy candidate in the UDPS party led by President Felix Tshisekedi. He was also the owner of a merchant's house in the city of Uvira.

Some eyewitnesses near the Uvira General Hospital say that the man was shot on Friday night at around 7:00 pm while he was out campaigning. His murders have not yet been identified.

This Saturday in the city of Uvira there was a demonstration to protest the death of this deputy candidate.

From Kavimvira to Kalimabenge the road was closed, photos of the parliamentary candidates on the streets were burned. The protest consisted mainly of youths who burned tires on the road and blocked the road with trees.

Those who spoke to the Voice of America, including Godelive Rugambo, who leads the civil society in Uvira, said they were saddened by the death of the candidate who was killed.

This one said, "For us, it's a lot of sadness and a lot of tears. We lost a hero. I saw him going to the king's campaign at ten o'clock and then I heard that he was shot, others that he died."

Some people who live in the city say that the killing of this deputy candidate has stopped all the work in the city.

Before this parliamentary candidate who was killed last month presented his candidacy in the eighth month, there was a group of people who asked him not to campaign because they called him Burundian. What he denied, saying that he is a from Uvira.

Godelive Rugambo calls on the Congolese government to investigate and arrest those involved in Ndabuye's murder.

Some campaign watchers say the campaign's killing spree could dampen the campaign's momentum in the next two days.

Security agencies in Uvira say they have launched an investigation into the murder of Ndabuye Sadiki Espoir.

Such killings targeting candidates are also reported in North Kivu province where deputy candidate Joseph Tchombe was also killed while campaigning in Beni territory on Friday.

Elections in Congo are scheduled for the 20th of this month.