Congo Police Break up Protests against Proposed Constitutional Changes

On Tuesday, police in Democratic Republic of Congo used tear gas and warning shots to break up opposition protests against proposed constitutional changes, Reuters reporters observed in Kinshasa. The demonstrations were organized by the C64 coalition, a group linked to former presidential candidates Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi, and Delly Sesanga. The C64 coalition contends that the proposed changes could enable President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term in office.

In the preceding months, the C64 coalition had staged a protest in Kinshasa in June, which was met with violent repression by security forces, according to multiple witnesses. The latest protest in Kinshasa began peacefully but escalated when clashes erupted between protesters and pro-government supporters, who also resorted to using stones and machetes. This prompted a police response.

The protests came on the heels of Tshisekedi's announcement three weeks earlier of a national dialogue aimed at bringing together opposition parties, civil society groups, and religious leaders. Tshisekedi portrayed the dialogue as a means to address the country's political challenges. However, opposition parties and the influential Catholic Church have strongly criticized the proposed constitutional changes, which critics argue would allow Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond the two five-year terms permitted by the current constitution.

In June, Parliament had passed a bill paving the way for constitutional amendments to be put to a referendum, and members of Tshisekedi's coalition had supported these amendments.