France said it was "concerned" by violence in Democratic Republic of Congo, calling on Kinshasa to "respect human rights" after clashes erupted as the president's mandate ended with no sign he was preparing to leave.

"France calls on the Congolese authorities and security forces to respect human rights," said a spokesman for France's foreign ministry, adding that those responsible for human rights violations would he held accountable. Gunfire was heard in DRC's two largest cities overnight and tensions remain high.