Congo pardons 24 people considered political prisoners
KINSHASA (Reuters) - The Democratic Republic of Congo's government announced pardons on Friday for 24 people considered political prisoners by the opposition, in a bid to ease tensions ahead of a presidential election set for November. Opposition leaders had demanded the release of 26 prisoners as a precondition for participation in talks on the election with President Joseph Kabila. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Richard Balmforth)