DRC: Nationwide political protests December 18 - January 2

Event

A series of pro- and anti-government rallies are scheduled to take place nationwide from Monday, December 18, to Tuesday, January 2. On Tuesday, December 19, the political opposition coalition, Rassemblement des forces politiques et sociales acquises au changement (RASSOP) will hold nationwide demonstrations calling for the resignation of President Joseph Kabila. In Kinshasa, demonstrators are expected to gather at the Limete interchange at 09:00 (local time). The protesters will then march down Lumumba Boulevard, Sendwe Avenue, at end on Triomphal Boulevard at around 15:00.

Additionally, the Union of Nationalist party (UNANA) plans to hold daily pro-government marches in Kinshasa between December 18 and January 2. An enhanced security presence, along with associated traffic disruptions, should be expected in the vicinity of the protest marches.

Context

The DRC is experiencing a political crisis that stems from President Kabila's refusal to step down after his term expired in December 2016. Under a deal struck between the government and the opposition, long-awaited presidential, legislative, regional, and local elections were supposed to take place before the end of 2017.

However, on November 5, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced that elections would be set to take place one year after this deadline, on December 23, 2018. The opposition coalition has denounced the timeframe, insisting that Kabila leave office by the end of 2017 and demanding a transitional administration be put in place immediately and presidential elections be held in January 2018.

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.​