DRC: Opposition coalition announces protests

Event

On Saturday, July 22, the opposition coalition in the DRC called for several protests throughout the country in the coming months to demand President Kabila’s departure. Two general strikes are scheduled to take place on August 8-9 throughout the country. Several demonstrations are also scheduled to take place on August 20, in the capital cities of the 25 provinces as well as the capital city of Kinshasa. Furthermore, the opposition called for acts of civil disobedience starting on October 1. Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the opposition coalition Le Rassemblement, called on policemen and military forces not to respect orders given by Kabila.

Context

On July 9, the electoral commission announced that a presidential vote would "probably not be possible" this year. There is an increased risk of civic unrest and violent crackdowns by security forces in urban areas across the country, including the capital Kinshasa.

President Kabila has been in power since 2001 and refused to step down after his term expired in December 2016. Under a deal struck between the government and the opposition, elections were supposed to take place before the end of 2017. The government has repeatedly blamed both budgetary constraints and continued violence for delays in scheduling the election. In addition, insecurity linked to the presence of armed groups and corresponding military operations against them persists in the eastern and central areas of the country. Kasai, Kasai Central, and Kasai Oriental provinces have been wracked by violence, with ongoing clashes between the Kaminwa Nsapu militia and government forces. The security situation in eastern DRC, including North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, is also volatile as a result of numerous rebel groups and armed criminal gangs operating in the region. As the political process in Kinshasa stalls, grievances over socioeconomic and political conditions could exacerbate intercommunal violence throughout the country. 

Advice

Individuals present in the DRC are advised to monitor local developments, to maintain a high degree of situational awareness, and avoid all rallies and demonstrations due to the risk of violence.

More generally, a number of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the east and northeast of the country for various security reasons.