EU calls for calm, respect for election timetable in DR Congo

(BRUSSELS) - The EU called Wednesday for calm in the Democratic Republic of Congo and respect for the election timetable after deadly protests against a proposed law allowing President Joseph Kabila to stay in power beyond his fixed two terms.

"All sides should seek a consensus allowing a return to calm," a statement said, adding that "respect of the electoral calendar as fixed by the constitution is central to the debate."

"The European Union expects publication of a complete calendar including legislative and presidential elections in line with the constitution," it said.

Gunshots were heard Wednesday as police cracked down on a new student demonstration at Kinshasa's university following two days of bloody violence in the capital, an AFP reporter said.

Twenty eight people have been killed since Monday in anti-government protests, according to a local human rights organisation, while the authorities put the death toll at five.

Protesters oppose a draft law that would enable President Kabila to stay in power for a third term after his current mandate ends in 2016.