KINSHASA — Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of the Congolese capital Kinshasa on Wednesday to welcome home opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi after a nearly two-year stay overseas for medical treatment.Tshisekedi’s return to delirious crowds flashing victory signs comes at a crucial moment in Democratic Republic of Congo, as a near-certain delay to a presidential election slated for November risks triggering violence in the unstable central African nation.President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, is required by term limits to step down this year, but opponents accuse him of delaying the November 27 poll to cling to power. The government says logistical and budgetary constraints make it unrealistic to hold the election on time.Kabila’s opponents hope that Tshisekedi’s return can rally people to the streets after opposition protests over the last year failed to attract large turnouts.Some supporters carried banners with Tshisekedi’s picture calling him president...

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