Congo police break up protests against proposed constitutional changes
Police used tear gas and warning shots as opposition rallies spread across several cities over a proposed constitutional amendment.
- On Tuesday, police in the Democratic Republic of Congo dispersed opposition protests in several cities against proposed constitutional changes that could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term, using tear gas and warning shots in Kinshasa.
- The C64 coalition, led by former presidential candidates Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi, and Delly Sesanga, organized the demonstrations after Parliament approved a proposal extending the presidential mandate beyond the current limit of two five-year terms.
- Hundreds gathered in Kinshasa, while unauthorized protests in Lubumbashi and Uvira were also quickly dispersed by authorities. In the capital, peaceful marches turned violent as protesters and pro-government supporters clashed with stones and machetes.
- Opposition parties and the Catholic Church have condemned the constitutional amendment, with the C64 coalition calling on Tshisekedi to "give up" the proposed changes that would threaten democratic term limits.
- Tensions remain high as elections are two years away, while conflict persists in eastern Congo where the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group controls territory. Tshisekedi recently proposed a national dialogue to address political challenges.
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11 Articles
In Kinshasa, the movement of the C64 coalition against constitutional change turned into clashes between demonstrators, opposition leaders and young people designated as members of the ruling party. Injured, Martin Fayulu challenged the head of state.
Congo police break up protests against proposed constitutional changes
Police in Democratic Republic of Congo dispersed opposition protests in several cities on Tuesday against proposed constitutional changes that critics say could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term, with Reuters witnesses reporting tear gas and warning shots in Kinshasa.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, 63, comes to the end of his second and last five-year term in 2028. The Congolese Constitution places the limit on two quinquennats. However, the presidential majority has been preparing for several months...
Opposition protests against constitutional change face clashes and restrictions across DRC
Kinshasa — Thousands of opposition supporters marched in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital on Tuesday against proposed constitutional reforms that critics say could allow President Félix Tshisekedi to run for a third term. The C64 coalition organized nationwide demonstrations coinciding with the opening of parliament’s September session. In Kinshasa, organizers and provincial authorities agreed
I Kinshasa mu Murwa Mukuru wa Repubulika Iharanira Demokarasi ya Congo no mu bindi bice n'Intara by'iki Gihugu birimo Lubumbashi, Maniema, Tanganyika n'ahandi, abashinzwe umutekano barimo Ingabo n'Abapolisi barunzwe mu mihanda ari benshi mu rwego rwo 'kuburizamo no guhangana n'abitabiriye imyigaragambyo' yatuguwe n'abatuga rumwe n'ubutegetsi basaba ko Perezida Félix Tshisekedi atahindura Itegeko Nshinga kugira NGO […]
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