DRC: Security forces use teargas to disperse anti-Kabila rally in Kinshasa Feb. 25 /update 2

Event

Security forces have reportedly fired live bullets and tear gas to disperse rallies on Sunday, February 25 in Kinshasa. According to local sources, several people were injured as police forcibly broke up crowds that had gathered at the city’s cathedral on Sunday morning. Demonstrations were planned to call for President Joseph Kabila to step down from office, and were banned by authorities on Saturday. Pro-Kabila rallies are also possible throughout the day.

Further gatherings and associated clashes between protesters and security forces are possible. Heightened security measures are to be expected to continue across the capital over the coming days.

Context

The Lay Coordination Committee (CLC), an organization close to the country’s Catholic Church, called for the anti-Kabila protests to be held on Sunday, backed by the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) opposition party. Tensions are high between the country's Catholic community and the government. Catholic activists have planned multiple anti-Kabila demonstrations in recent months; clashes with security services led to the deaths of at least three protesters on January 21.

Under a deal struck between the government and the opposition, long-awaited presidential, legislative, regional, and local elections were supposed to take place before the end of 2017. However, in November 2017, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced that elections would be set to take place one year after this deadline, on December 23, 2018. The opposition coalition continues to denounce the timeframe.

Advice

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