DRC: Violent student protests continue in Kinshasa November 17 /update 1

Event

Security forces used tear gas a rubber bullets to disperse a student protest at the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) in Kinshasa on Saturday, November 17. At least one police officer sustained injuries while students set fire to a shop. The size of protests, which began on Monday, November 12, grew considerably when students from the Institut supérieur de techniques appliquées (ISTA) joined the demonstrations at UNIKIN on Saturday. Further such protests are possible in the coming hours and days.

Context

Teachers at the University of Kinshasa have been on strike since October 8 to demand better salaries. Students launched a series of demonstrations on November 12 to demand the resumption of courses at the university; at least two students have died during clashes with security forces.

Advice

Individuals in Kinshasa are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.