The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila, would address the country’s parliament later today after the collapse of the latest round of negotiations between the government and opposition.

According to Ceoafrica, it comes a day after police fired tear gas and bullets to disperse opposition protesters in the capital, Kinshasa.

The protests had erupted after negotiations aimed at securing the departure of Mr Kabila after 17 years in power fell apart.

Religious leaders mediating the talks said politicians were acting selfishly.

The outline for a power-sharing deal in the country was agreed last year but the details have proved difficult to agree.

Bishops who had mediated between the government and the opposition called off the talks because, they said, politicians had failed to agree on issues such as the choice of a transitional prime minister.

President Kabila was supposed to step down by December last year, when his constitutionally limited time in office came to an end.

But the electoral commission failed to organise an election to choose a replacement, citing logistical and financial difficulties.