Dozens detained in DR Congo protests against constitutional change — Anadolu Agency
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dozens of people were detained during protests against proposed constitutional changes that could allow President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term, rights activists said. Demonstrations took place on Tuesday in the capital, Kinshasa, and several other major cities across the country. According to activists, police used tear gas to disperse the crowds, Anadolu Agency reports.
Clashes in Kinshasa
The protests were organized by the opposition coalition Article 64 (C64), which opposes constitutional amendments that could extend Tshisekedi's time in office. Videos shared on social media showed hundreds of demonstrators in Kinshasa carrying flags of various political parties.
Activists said the demonstrations were initially peaceful, but clashes later began between opposition supporters and government backers linked to Force for Progress. This informal ultranationalist youth movement is associated with the ruling party. C64 member Jean-Marc Kabund claimed that Force for Progress participants attacked protesters with machetes and other bladed weapons, after which police dispersed the demonstration.
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Detentions in several provinces
Timothy Mbouya, an activist with the Justicia organization, said that about 70 people were detained in Haut-Katanga province. Joseph Kongolo, coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission in Haut-Katanga, said that protesters in Lubumbashi and the cities of Likasi and Kasumbalesa were dispersed by police accompanied by soldiers. According to him, significant police forces were deployed at all gathering points for the demonstrations.
Blaise Kilimbalimba, the police commander of Katanga province, rejected reports that peaceful demonstrators had been detained. In Mbandaka, activists reported about 12 detentions and the dispersal of around 100 participants. Similar demonstrations were reportedly dispersed in Kisangani. There were no official reports of detentions there at that time.
Former presidential candidate and one of the C64 leaders Martin Fayulu said the coalition was considering filing an international complaint against Tshisekedi over violence against opposition activists. In June, the country's parliament passed a bill allowing the proposed constitutional changes to be put to a referendum. That same month, at least two people were reportedly killed and several others injured when security forces opened fire to disperse hundreds of protesters.
