When Felix Tshiskedi first came to power in the DRC, he promised greater freedom and human rights activists noted an increase in political prisoners being freed, demonstrations taking place without repression and "the opening up of civic political space". But with Tshisekedi seeking re-election, rights groups warn that the DRC's democracy is sliding backwards. Prominent journalists languish in prison and the murder of an opposition politician remains unsolved. "It represents a major step backwards for democracy" says Rostin Manketa Nkawahata, coordinator of 'Voix des Sans-Voix'. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES