DRC: Protesters arrested July 31; more protests August 8-9 /update 2

Event

Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arrested at least 128 people on Monday, July 31, as they dispersed protests taking place across the country. Demonstrators were demanding that President Joseph Kabila leave power by the end of 2017, and called on authorities to release a revised electoral calendar as promised. In Goma and Bukavu, where demonstrations had been prohibited by local authorities, protesters continued to march despite efforts by security forces to break them up, reportedly by using tear gas, batons, and weapons; ten people were reportedly wounded in Bukavu. According to the Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA) youth organization, at least 50 arrests were made in Goma, between 15 and 20 in the capital Kinshasa,  and a number in other cities including Butembo (11), Beni (11), Kasindi (5), Lubumbashi (15), Kindu (3), and Mbandaka (7). According to police, all those arrested should be released soon. In Kinshasa, seven journalists covering the protest were briefly arrested and reportedly intimidated before being released; two journalists were also reportedly mistreated in Bukavu.

Further protests - accompanied by transportation disruptions, an increased security presence, and likely clashes - are expected to take place on August 8 and August 9.

Context

Activist groups including the LUCHA, the Filimbi youth group, and the Civil Society Action Group (CASC) called for the July 31 protests to demand the calendar be released, which had previously been slated to happen that day.

The current crisis stems from allegations that President Joseph Kabila is attempting to retain control of the presidency despite constitutional limits. President Kabila has been in power since 2001 and refused to step down after his term expired in December 2016. Under a deal struck between the government and the opposition, elections were scheduled to take place before the end of 2017. However, on July 9, the electoral commission announced that a presidential vote would "probably not be possible" this year. The government has repeatedly blamed both budgetary constraints and continued violence for delays in scheduling the election.

In addition, insecurity linked to the presence of armed groups and corresponding military operations persists in the eastern and central areas of the country. Kasai, Kasai Central, and Kasai Oriental provinces have been wracked by violence, with ongoing clashes frequent between the Kaminwa Nsapu militia and government forces. The security situation in eastern DRC, including North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, is also volatile as a result of numerous rebel groups and armed criminal gangs operating in the region. As the political process in Kinshasa stalls, grievances over socioeconomic and political conditions could exacerbate intercommunal violence throughout the country. There is an increased risk of civic unrest and violent crackdowns by security forces in urban areas across the country, including the capital Kinshasa.

Advice

Individuals present in the DRC are advised to monitor local developments, to maintain a high degree of situational awareness, and to avoid all rallies and demonstrations due to the risk of violence.

More generally, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country for various security reasons.