DRC: Ban on protests in Kinshasa /update 1

Event

On Sunday, November 26, Kinshasa provincial authorities issued a ban on demonstrations scheduled to take place on November 28 and November 30. The local government decided to ban both the pro-government and opposition protests due to the risk of violence. The opposition coalition Rassemblement has denounced the decision and announced nationwide protests would go ahead on November 30, including in the capital.

Increased security measures as well as business and transportation disruptions are to be expected during the demonstrations. Violent clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

These protests led by government and opposition supporters are being held both to support and denounce the current electoral calendar. 

The current political crisis in the DRC stems from President Joseph Kabila's refusal to step down after his term ended in December 2016. 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, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) scheduled the elections for December 23, 2018. The opposition coalition has denounced the timeframe, insisting that Kabila leave office by the end of 2017, demanding a transitional administration be put in place immediately and presidential elections be held in January 2018. Nationwide protests that took place on November 15 resulted in numerous arrests and skirmishes with police forces.

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.