'DR Congo crisis talks suspended until Wednesday'

Congolese crisis talks to ensure a peaceful transition of power were suspended today, Catholic church negotiators said, announcing they would resume only a day after President Joseph Kabila's last legal term in office ends.

The announcement follows nearly a week of church-led negotiations between Kabila's ruling power and opposition parties to determine a path forward after December 20, when Kabila's second term ends.

The Congolese constitution bans presidents from a third term, but Kabila has showed no signs of stepping down and no elections have yet been planned, leading international observers to fear the situation could descend into violence.