By Norm Dixon
As the ADFL sweeps through eastern Zaire, opposition to Mobutu and the war, and sympathy for rebel leader Laurent Kabila, are being openly expressed on the streets of the capital, Kinshasa.
A general strike on February 10, called by the moderate opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, was widely heeded by public and private sector workers. The strike was called to demand the removal of Mobutu's hand-picked prime minister, Kengo wa Dondo, and to support the demand for peace talks with the ADFL.
On February 5 Tshisekedi's party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), called for three-way negotiations between Mobutu, Tshisekedi and Kabila to discuss a cease-fire, a date for democratic elections and the formation of a government of national unity.
Kabila has ruled out talks with Mobutu. On February 6, he issued an ultimatum to Mobutu to resign by February 21.
Journalists in Kinshasa report that people in the street are openly expressing support for Kabila.
"People support Kabila. He's fighting Mobutu's system", medical student Flori Kabengele told the Washington Post on January 24. Student Jose Kalala-Kalala added, "We know Kabila is fighting for the Zairean people".
"People want Kabila to win the war and come here, simply because we're fed up with the way of living here under Mobutu", Luke Mkaal, a business person, told Associated Press reporter Tina Susman on February 14.
London Times reporter Sam Kiley on February 15 quoted a "senior secretary at the Interior Ministry" as saying: "We should negotiate with Kabila. If they talk, then we can have elections and get rid of this president. He is finished."
Support for Kabila is also apparent within Zaire's armed forces. Thousands of soldiers have defected to the ADFL since the rebellion began last September. In Kalemie, Shaba province, which fell to the rebels on February 3, 300 Zairean troops joined the rebels.
"We want change. We have been suffering", one soldier told an Associated Press reporter.
Another explained: "We didn't flee. We understood that the rebels were coming and they were our friends and they want to help us ... [Being in the army is] a miserable life. There was never enough to eat or adequate equipment."
Conscripts are supposed to be paid US$1 a month, but regularly go unpaid for months at a time.
Hundreds of dejected soldiers are arriving in Kinshasa, having deserted the front 1300km away.
"There must be a change of government", a lieutenant told the London Times on February 17.
"Mobutu must go into exile or retire. If this does not happen and our comrades in the field are not paid, fed, armed, and properly led, we will clean out all the ministers and anyone above the rank of major. Talks must be opened with the rebels, so that brother can stop killing brother."
In an effort to head off opposition, the government banned demonstrations and strikes on February 14. All television and radio stations were forbidden to broadcast news accounts of the conflict in the east other than official pronouncements.
A February 15 UDPS rally which was to be addressed by Tshisekedi was cancelled when the opposition leader withdrew. One hundred and fifty protesters turned out regardless, chanting "Kabila! Kabila! Kabila!". No police or soldiers were present.