DRC: Opposition coalition plans rally in Kinshasa February 2 /update 20

Event

A rally in support of presidential candidate Martin Fayulu is scheduled to be held in Kinshasa on Saturday, February 2. The event is being organized by the Lamuka opposition coalition and will begin at 11:00 (local time). Supporters will gather at Place Sainte Thérèse in N'Djili commune. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected around the event.

Context

Félix Tshisekedi was inaugurated as president on January 24 after the DRC held long-awaited general elections on December 30, 2018, to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila, who was ineligible to run for another term. There were numerous allegations of electoral fraud and voter intimidation and several people were killed in election-related violence. Opposition candidate Tshisekedi was declared winner of the presidential elections with 38.57 percent of the vote, followed by runner-up Martin Fayulu with 34.83 percent. Fayulu, however, claims he won the election with 60 percent of the vote based on leaked results and has called for his supporters to stage peaceful demonstrations against a "constitutional coup d'état."

Advice

Individuals in Kinshasa are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of violence and arrest, refrain from discussing political topics in public, and adhere to all instructions issued by their home government and local authorities.