DRC: Protests at Kinshasa University October 18

Event

Protests broke out on Wednesday, October 18, at the University of Kinshasa, with protesters blocking nearby roads with burning tires. Police forces reportedly fired live ammunition into the air to disperse the crowd and arrested several students. No casualties were reported.

Some protesters were demanding the resignation of Corneille Nangaa, president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), as well as Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala for not being able to deliver a promised electoral calendar. Others were reportedly protesting against recurrent water and electricity cuts on the university campus. Further protests and related violence are likely in the coming days.

Context

On October 10, the CENI announced that no presidential election would take place until April 2019 at the earliest, stating it requires at least 504 days to organize the poll following the completion of voter registration, and 17 months to establish voting districts.

The current political crisis stems from President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down after his term expired in December 2016. Many fear Kabila is maneuvering to remain in control indefinitely despite constitutional limits. Elections were scheduled to take place before the end of 2017 but the electoral commission announced in July that a presidential vote would "probably not be possible" this year. The government has repeatedly blamed both budgetary constraints and continued violence for delays in scheduling the election. 

Advice

Individuals present in the DRC are advised to monitor the situation, 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.