DRC: Pro-government rally in Kinshasa October 27

Event

The FCC (Front Commun pour le Congo) ruling coalition has called for a rally to take place on Saturday, October 27, at the Tata Raphaël Stadium in the capital Kinshasa. The aim of the rally is to inform supporters regarding the electoral process. The rally is set to take place a day after nationwide opposition protests called for to denounce issues related to the electoral process and the use of voting machines.

A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected near such gatherings. Clashes between opposition supporters and security forces cannot be ruled out on October 26.

Context

General elections are scheduled to take place on December 23. President Joseph Kabila has announced he will not run in the presidential election and has come out in support of his political ally, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary. Kabila had refused to step down after his term expired in December 2016.

Opposition supporters and civil society activists accuse the government of excluding key opposition candidates, such as Moïse Katumbi and Jean-Pierre Bemba, from the presidential elections. They also denounce inconsistencies in the electoral register, including 6 million registered voters whose fingerprints have not been digitally recorded, casting doubts on the government's ability to carry out transparent elections. Finally, the use of the voting machines in these elections is highly contested due to the alleged risk of fraud.

Advice

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