DRC: Political rallies expected in lead-up to December 30 elections /update 3

Event

Opposition candidates Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), and Vital Kamerhe, leader of the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC), have declared that they will continue to campaign until Friday, December 28, ahead of the December 30 elections. Their announcement goes against the advisement of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which confirmed that although the vote was postponed from its earlier date of December 23 to December 30, the electoral campaign season would officially end on December 21. Associated political rallies and demonstrations are to be expected in Kinshasa and other major urban areas in the coming hours and days. Clashes between rival political supporters, as well as between supporters and security forces, are likely.

On a related note, in anticipation of unrest surrounding the presidential election, the US and UK governments had already ordered all non-emergency personnel to depart the country and are continuing to advise their respective citizens to avoid nonessential travel to the DRC until the situation stabilizes. Remaining US government employees in the DRC are subject to a nightly curfew from 19:00 to 06:00 until further notice.

Context

The long-awaited presidential and legislative elections would mark the first democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960. As a security precaution, Congolese authorities had previously announced that land borders would close for 24 hours on election day and an increased security presence would be deployed throughout major urban centers and at polling stations on the day of the vote; it is currently unclear whether these security measures will remain in effect this weekend despite the delayed elections. Multiple clashes have erupted during political events held ahead of the elections, notably in Kalemie, Lubumbashi, Tshikapa, Kindu, and Mbuji-Mayi. At least seven people have reportedly been killed by security forces over the course of the campaign period.

President Joseph Kabila, whose term ended in 2016 but who has remained in power amid repeated election delays, has endorsed Interior Minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary as the candidate of the ruling FCC (Front Commun pour le Congo) coalition. Other main candidates include Felix Tshisekedi of the CACH (Cap pour le Changement) opposition coalition party and Martin Fayulu of the Lamuka opposition coalition.

Advice

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