DRC: Ongoing unrest in Lubumbashi December 11

Event

Tensions remain high in Lubumbashi (Haut-Katanga province) as of the afternoon of Tuesday, December 11, following civil unrest during the visit of Martin Fayulu, leader of the Lamuka opposition coalition. Security forces reportedly fired tear gas and live ammunition at supporters gathered at the Cite des Jeunes where a political meeting was scheduled to take place. Police roadblocks have been erected around the Cite des Jeunes, and protests have been reported in the Kenya neighborhood, where shops have closed until further notice. Further unrest is possible in Lumbumbashi and Haut-Katanga ahead of national elections on December 23.

Context

The DRC will hold presidential and legislative elections on December 23. President Joseph Kabila, whose term ended in 2016 but has remained in power due to election delays, announced he will not seek reelection in 2018 and has endorsed Interior Minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary.

Advice

Individuals in the DRC are advised to monitor the political situation, avoid all protests and political demonstrations due to the risk of violence and arrest, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments, and refrain from discussing sensitive political topics in public.