UN: Congo in constitutional crisis with no end in sight

UNITED NATIONS – A U.N. official says the electoral crisis in Congo has become a constitutional crisis with no end in sight.

Maman Sambo Sidikou, the U.N.'s special representative for Congo, told the Security Counil on Tuesday that parties on all sides appear increasingly willing to resort to violence to achieve their ends.

"If this trajectory continues, I believe large-scale violence is all but inevitable," Sidikou said, adding that the scope of the threats "dramatically outstrip the (U.N. peacekeeping) mission's capabilities."

Tensions in Congo have risen as it has become increasingly apparent that President Joseph Kabila will stay in office after his term expires in December. Congo's electoral commission said November's scheduled presidential vote wouldn't be possible until 2018, and a court has said Kabila can stay in power until the next election.