By Spy Uganda
Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo fired tear gas and warning shots and arrested activists on Tuesday as protesters took to the streets in several cities to oppose President Félix Tshisekedi’s plan to change the country’s Constitution.
The demonstrations were organised by the C64 coalition, an alliance of opposition forces that has mobilised against proposed constitutional changes that could remove the current two-term presidential limit.
In Kinshasa, hundreds of protesters gathered beneath a forest of opposition flags after the coalition called for nationwide demonstrations.
Riot police were deployed along the planned march route and at major intersections across the capital. Clashes broke out shortly after the march began when opposition supporters confronted activists linked to the pro-government movement.
Police intervened by firing volleys of tear gas, forcing protesters to retreat. At least two demonstrators were injured, according to AFP journalists who witnessed the confrontation.
Opposition figure Martin Fayulu, who attended the protest, accused police of protecting members of the Force of Progress, a youth movement associated with Tshisekedi’s ruling party. The allegations could not be independently verified.
Tshisekedi was first elected president in 2019 and secured a second term in 2023. His administration’s push for constitutional reforms has sparked growing opposition, particularly over the possibility of changes to presidential term limits.
Last month, a senior C64 official urged Tshisekedi to abandon the initiative and maintain the existing constitutional provisions.
The proposed reforms come as the DRC continues to face serious security challenges, particularly in the east, where the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group has captured significant territory.
C64 also rejected Tshisekedi’s proposal for a national dialogue last month, accusing the president of seeking to use the process to strengthen his political position. The coalition instead called for nationwide protests.
In Lubumbashi, a major mining centre in southeastern Congo, activists defied a protest ban imposed by local authorities and gathered in the city centre. Police dispersed the protesters using tear gas and warning shots, with several arrests reported by an AFP journalist at the scene.
Mohamed Eyenga, provincial coordinator of the opposition Envol party and a senior C64 figure, criticised the heavy security deployment and alleged that activists had been arbitrarily arrested.
Provincial police commander General Blaise Kilimbalimba rejected the allegations, saying security forces had acted to ensure citizens could continue with their normal activities. He also insisted that no peaceful demonstrator had been arrested.
In Mbandaka, capital of Equateur Province, authorities also banned the protests. About 100 activists were dispersed by security personnel, while around 10 people were reportedly arrested.
Smaller demonstrations were also broken up in the eastern provinces of South Kivu and Tanganyika, where local sources reported additional arrests.
The protests highlight growing political tensions in the DRC over proposed constitutional changes and the future rules governing presidential succession.
