DRC: Further protests are likely in Kinshasa through mid-February /update 1

Further disruptive anti-Western protests are likely in Kinshasa through mid-February. Protesters gathered near foreign embassies, including the US and UK diplomatic offices, on Feb. 9 and 10. Some property damage and confrontations with security personnel were reported. Demonstrators accuse several Western nations of negative influence in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. Supporters of the opposition group Dynamique Progressive Revolutionnaire (DYPRO) plan to gather outside of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) headquarters in Kinshasa (12 Avenue des Aviateurs) from 10:00 Feb. 12 over the same issue.

Heightened security is likely near all protests that materialize. Protesters are likely to gather near the Gombe area where many foreign diplomatic representations are located. Disruptions to road travel are likely near protest sites. Access to nearby buildings may be restricted at times if demonstrations become unruly. Clashes between demonstrators and the police are possible. Protesters could also engage in further acts of public violence.