DRC: Tear gas fired near Lubumbashi airport October 23 /update 1

Event

On Monday, October 23, police forces fired tear gas to disperse a crowd gathered near Lubumbashi International Airport (FBM) (Haut-Katanga) to welcome Félix Tshisekedi, leader of the opposition party Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social (UPDS). Flights at Lubumbashi airport were not affected by the unrest. Although the situation has since calmed, further gatherings of UPDS supporters are likely and could lead to more clashes with security forces.

According to the UPDS, 48 party members were arrested the day before (October 22) in Lubumbashi when police forces forcefully entered the UPDS's local headquarters. The local police allege that activists threw stones at police cars during an anti-government rally, prompting the arrest of 28 activists.

Local sources have reported that authorities have received orders to disperse all gatherings of more than five individuals in Lubumbashi. Nonetheless, demonstrations by UPDS supporters (especially protests demanding the release of those allegedly detained on October 22) remain likely in the coming days, which could prompt a swift and forceful response by security forces.

Context

An ongoing political crisis stems from President Joseph Kabila's refusal 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 October 10 the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced that it would be impossible to organize a presidential election before April 2019, at the earliest.

Advice

Individuals present in the DRC 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.

More generally, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country due to poor security conditions, including the presence of armed groups and a high risk of kidnapping.