DRC: Opposition party congress in Kinshasa March 30-31

Event

The Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the main opposition party, will hold its party congress in Kinshasa from Friday, March 30, through Saturday, March 31. UDPS members will gather at the party headquarters in the Limete district. During the conference, members are expected to select a new party president. Demonstrations by UDPS supporters are possible during the congress. Heightened security measures are anticipated in the area and clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

The UDPS is selecting a successor to Etienne Tshisekedi, the former party president who died in Brussels in February 2017. Widespread unrest followed his death in Brussels (Belgium) - particularly in Kinshasa's Limete district - over the delayed repatriation and burial of his body.

The DRC is currently in the midst of a political crisis that 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 - for which Tshisekedi played a primary role - 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 not be held until December 23, 2018.

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.