DRC: General strike planned in South Kivu August 2

Event

Several opposition parties, including the UPDS (Union pour la démocratie et le progress social), the UNC (Union pour la nation congolaise), and the ARC (Alliance pour le renouveau au Congo) called for a general strike to take place in the South Kivu province on Wednesday, August 2. The groups are demanding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) release a revised electoral calendar as promised.

Further social movements are scheduled to take place throughout the country, particularly on August 8 and 9.

Context

The call for a general strike comes amid widespread discontent among opposition parties, activist groups, and the population, who carried out protests in various cities across the country on July 31. Police forces dispersed the protesters with tear gas, batons, and reportedly with firearms in some locations; at least 128 people were arrested.

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, including in South Kivu, 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.