ICC issues stern warning to DRC

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Political violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo ensures perpetrators a one-way ticket to The Hague, the ICC's chief prosecutor said.

DRC President Joseph Kabila appears headed for an extension of his 10-year grip on power as his vote lead over opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi grows.

The vote Monday was the second democratic election in the country since independence in 1960. Riot police were reported across major DRC cities and authorities in near-by South Africa fired rubber bullets at DRC nationals protesting early election results.

There were "multiple" reports of violence against civilians and fighting between rival political factions, armed militias and national security forces, the International Criminal Court stated.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, chief prosecutor at the ICC, said his office was monitoring developments in DRC. He said authorities in DRC were called on to hand over evidence supporting claims that national security forces had fired on demonstrators.

With former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo awaiting trial for crimes against humanity committed during violence that followed last year's elections there, the prosecutor warned parties to the conflict in DRC to take heed.

"I urge leaders, commanders, and politicians on all sides to calm your supporters," he said in a statement. "Electoral violence is no longer a ticket to power, I assure you. It is a ticket to The Hague."