Posted: 7:20 pm PDT
Updated: 11:51 am PDT
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Update: The Guardian reported early this morning that USAID official Kevin Sturr was released to the embassy “late last night”after security forces broke up a press conference in Kinshasa attended by activists, journalists and musicians.  The African activists detained with him are reportedly still in custody.

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A U.S. diplomat was reportedly detained by the Democratic Republic of the Congo security forces following a raid that targeted journalists and regional democracy activists in the capital city of Kinshasa.  Media reports, quoting a government spokesman say that those arrested were accused of  “posing a threat to stability.”  We have reached out to the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa but have not heard anything back. Press reports have not identified the name nor rank of the detained diplomat.

Congo security forces detain US diplomat, journalists and pro-democracy activists: http://t.co/7nHuL1GW2D

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 16, 2015

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This is extreme even by #Kinshasa standards. US diplomat arrested with pro-democracy activists in #Congo @Reuters http://t.co/alnNpE1wP4

— Joe Bavier (@JoeBavier) March 15, 2015

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#US Diplomat and activists detained in Kinshasa (DR #Congo) charged w “bringing an attack against state security” http://t.co/4qlp21dofS

— Barmou Salifou (@BarmouSalifBlog) March 16, 2015

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