Congo Police Disperse Protests Against Presidential Term Limit Changes

Security forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo used tear gas, warning shots, and armed force on Tuesday to disperse hundreds of protesters in Kinshasa and several other cities. The demonstrations, organized by the Coalition Article 64, targeted a June parliamentary bill and a subsequent July Constitutional Court ruling that would allow constitutional changes to be put to a referendum. Critics argue these measures create a legal pathway for President Felix Tshisekedi to bypass Article 220, which limits presidents to two five-year terms.

While protests in Kinshasa were authorized, they ended in clashes between opposition supporters and pro-government sympathizers from the Force for Progress youth movement. In cities including Lubumbashi, Uvira, Mbandaka, and Kisangani, authorities had banned the gatherings and moved quickly to break them up. Reports indicate dozens of arrests, including approximately 70 in Haut-Katanga province and a dozen in Mbandaka.

Opposition leader Martin Fayulu characterized the police response as a massacre and accused the state of collaborating with a political party militia. In response, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya stated that while the right to protest is recognized, it must be exercised properly. President Tshisekedi has denied seeking a third term but previously stated he would accept another mandate if requested by the people. The unrest occurs as the country manages an Ebola outbreak and ongoing conflict with M23 rebels in the east.