DRC: Nationwide protests scheduled for August 24 /update 1

Event

Nationwide protests are scheduled to take place across DRC on Monday, August 24. The demonstrations are being held in relation to the court hearing of Vital Kamerhe, the currently imprisoned leader of the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC) party. Kamerhe is appealing his corruption conviction. The hearing will be held at the Court of Appeal in Kinshasa on August 24, after being postponed for a third time on August 18.

Context

The high-profile trial over $48 million missing from the president's flagship development program has been politically charged since Kamerhe was abruptly dismissed from his role as Tshisekedi's chief of staff and arrested on April 8. Although the corruption allegations appear to be well-founded, opposition groups have accused former president Joseph Kabila of using the case to manipulate the government and assert his influence over Tshisekedi.

Advice

Individuals in the DRC are advised to avoid all protests as a precaution, monitor the situation, allow ample travel time, and obey instructions issued by local authorities