KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Activists and opposition loyalists in Democratic Republic of Congo were among those killed by security forces since November elections, a rights group said.
The DRC supreme court upheld results that indicated President Joseph Kabila won a November election over opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi.
Human Rights Watch said it had evidence to suggest at least 24 people were killed and many more arrested since the declaration made in favor of Kabila earlier this month. Those killed, the rights group said, include members of the opposition.
Anneke Van Woudenberg, an Africa researcher for the rights group, said government forces have fired on crowds to prevent major demonstrations against Kabila's declared victory.
"These bloody tactics further undermine the electoral process and leave the impression that the government will do whatever it takes to stay in power," she said in a statement.
Tshisekedi said the vote wasn't fair and announced plans to have his own inauguration Friday.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she questioned the supreme court's motives but suggested fraud complaints weren't substantial enough to sway the outcome of the vote.
Nevertheless, Van Woudenberg said the reaction from Kabila loyalists show the incumbent government is bent on maintaining its grip on power no matter what.
"The United Nations and Congo's international partners should urgently demand that the government rein in its security forces," she said.
