DRC: Opposition rally in Kinshasa on April 24

Event

The Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the main opposition party, will hold a rally in the N’djili district of Kinshasa on Tuesday, April 24. UDPS supporters will gather at the UDPS office on Place Sainte-Thérèse at 14:00 (local time). This will be the first official event since the election of Félix Tshisekedi as the UDPS head in March 2018. A heightened security force presence can be expected around the venue and localized unrest is possible.

Context

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 - in which Tshisekedi’s late father, Etienne Tshisekedi (former UPDS leader), 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.