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Congo's security forces detained a U.S. diplomat Sunday in a raid that also targeted journalists and regional democracy activists and accused them of posing a threat to stability, a government spokesman said.

The diplomat "was found among a group of people that was believed to be in the process of bringing an attack against state security," Lambert Mende said. He did not disclose the diplomat's name or position.

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa did not respond to messages seeking comment. The State Department did not offer additional information when contacted Sunday night.

The detentions followed a news conference in Kinshasa organized in support of a Congolese movement known as Filimbi that aims for greater youth participation in politics.

Mende did not say how many people were detained. He said the group was held for identification and investigation, and that foreign journalists had been released. He did not have information on whether the diplomat, activists or local journalists had been released.

The activists included members of Burkina Faso's Balai Citoyen and Senegal's Y'en a Marre movements. Both have led large-scale protests in recent years against presidents attempting to extend their time in office.

In 2011 and 2012, Y'en a Marre mobilized against the re-election bid of Senegal's then-President Abdoulaye Wade, who ultimately lost to current President Macky Sall. Balai Citoyen proved instrumental in the popular uprising that led to Burkina Faso ex-President Blaise Compaore's fall from power in October after 27 years in office.

Balai Citoyen leader Serge Bambara speculated that the detentions could be linked to the "current political situation" in Congo.

In January, mass protests erupted in Congo against proposed changes to the electoral law that were widely seen as an attempt by President Joseph Kabila to prolong his time in power. Human Rights Watch reported that at least 40 people were killed in Kinshasa and the eastern city of Goma.

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Congo Detains US Diplomat With Pro-Democracy Activists

As Australias biggest publishers and broadcasters prepare a media blitz against the Federal Governments Data Retention Bill, a top WA media academic has warned Australias democracy and people will be the biggest losers if the Bill becomes law.

Curtin Universitys Journalism Department head Joseph Fernandez said this week if journalists, confidential sources and whistleblowers suffer as a result of the law, ultimately the public would suffer, too.

In fact, even our elected representatives will suffer because they too rely on confidentiality to carry out their work effectively, he said.

The Data Retention Bill is the third wave of national security laws introduced by the Abbott Government, and would force Australian telecommunications companies, including internet service providers, to store data including telephone call logs and email records, for two years.

The proposals have been widely criticised for going too far, making it virtually impossible for journalists to do their jobs and keep sources confidential.

Chief executives from major news organisations, including Seven West Medias Tim Worner, have already publicly condemned that aspect of law. Others plan to front a Parliamentary hearing next Friday to express outrage at Attorney-General George Brandis lack of consultation over the legislation.

Dr Fernandez accused the Government of a cart-before-the-horse approach to law-making.

If this Bill is passed without protection for journalists confidential sources it will pull the carpet from under the feet of the Fourth Estate and cause serious damage to government transparency and accountability, he said.

It will also severely undermine the very protections introduced through shield law to protect journalists and their confidential sources.

A joint parliamentary committee last month recommended the Bill be passed, despite acknowledging the impact on press freedom and journalists sources.

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Democracy 'a loser' in data retention

Off The Record 10 March 2015 , Pakistani democracy politics miracles
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Mufti Ismail Menk on Democracy and Freedom Of Speech
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Is the future of democracy on the web?
Professor Conor Gearty, Director, Institute of Public Affairs and Dr Nick Anstead, Assistant Professor, Media and Communications department discuss the relationship between the internet, the...

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