{
  "id": 7694827,
  "title": "Congo Police Break up Protests against Proposed Constitutional Changes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/congo-police-break-up-protests-against-proposed-constitutional-changes",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T03:19:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
    "slug": "the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun",
    "url": "https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/news-services/reuters/20260916-348939/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "summary": "KINSHASA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Police in Democratic Republic of Congo dispersed opposition protests in several cities on Tuesday against proposed constitutional changes that critics say could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term, with Reuters witnesses reporting tear gas and warning shots in Kinshasa.",
  "key_points": [
    "Police used tear gas and warning shots to disperse protests in Kinshasa.",
    "C64 coalition, linked to former candidates, organized the demonstrations.",
    "Proposed changes could allow President Tshisekedi to seek a third term."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}