KINSHASA, Congo — The office of President Joseph Kabila appealed for calm Wednesday after two days of street clashes that left dozens dead, while accusing organizers of antigovernment protests of trying to incite ‘‘bloody riots.’’

In a statement, Kabila’s office said he was ‘‘profoundly touched by these sad events’’ and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.

Thousands took to the streets of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, on Monday to oppose an election delay that some call a plot by Kabila to stay in power after his mandate expires in December. Earlier Wednesday, police spokesman Colonel Pierrot Mwanamputu said the death toll was 32, including four police officers, though opposition leaders have said the figure is higher.

While officials have tried to minimize government responsibility for this week’s casualties, rights activists and government critics have placed blame on security forces.

Associated Press