DRC: New violent protest reported near Kolwezi July 8 /update 1

Event

Illegal miners at the Liulu plant, located near Kolwezi, protested outside the plant early in the morning (local time) on Monday, July 8, to denounce a recent eviction plan from local mines. Soldiers fired gunshots into the air to disperse the protesters.

Further related protests are likely in the coming days, amid heightened security measures. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Soldiers from the DRC Army have been deployed to mines located near Kolwezi in a bid to remove all artisanal miners from the area following a landslide at an international concession on June 27, in which 43 people were killed.

Advice

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