DRC: Opposition parties to rally in Kinshasa September 29 /update 4

Event

Leaders of the main political opposition parties are planning to hold a rally in Kinshasa on Saturday, September 29. The gathering is scheduled to be held on Boulevard Triomphal in the Kasa-Vubu area from 10:00 to 15:00 (local time). Popular opposition leaders including Félix Tshisekedi, Moïse Katumbi, and Jean-Pierre Bemba are expected to attend the event. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected near the rally. Clashes between opposition supporters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Opposition parties are meeting to designate a unique candidate to run under the opposition umbrella in the upcoming December 23 presidential election. Katumbi and Bemba were both ruled ineligible to run by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) on September 19. President Kabila, whose second term officially ended in December 2016, has abided by constitutional term limits and will not be running himself. He is backing former Interior Minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary.

Advice

Individuals in Kinshasa are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.