The new president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, says he wants to free all political prisoners within the next 10 days.
Tshisekedi made the announcement as he unveiled his “emergency programme for the first 100 days.
In a speech he said he would ask the justice minister to release all those held in jail for their political views.
Tshisekedi assumed office in January, taking over from Joseph Kabila, who had been in power for 18 years.
But the result was disputed and Kabila remains politically powerful.
His speech also raised the possibility of political
exiles being allowed to return home to the D.R. Congo.
