Opposition protests against proposed constitutional changes in the Democratic Republic of Congo ended in clashes in Kinshasa, with one opposition member reported dead and protesters dispersed before reaching Parliament.
KINSHASA, DR CONGO — Political tensions are rising in the Democratic Republic of Congo after an opposition protest against proposed constitutional changes was broken up by security forces in Kinshasa amid clashes with pro-government supporters.
Hundreds of demonstrators joined the September 15 march organized by the Coalition Article 64 (C64), an alliance opposing constitutional changes it fears could pave the way for President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
The march began peacefully but deteriorated into clashes between opposition protesters and pro-government activists. Police used tear gas and warning shots to disperse demonstrators before they could reach their planned destination near the Palais du Peuple, where Parliament sits.
Opposition Reports One Death After Kinshasa Protest
The opposition says Manassé Lomboto Bomengala, a member of ADD Congo responsible for party leader Prince Epenge’s security, died following the unrest.
According to ADD Congo, Lomboto was found unconscious after clashes and was initially taken to a clinic before being transferred to Olympic Hospital, where he later died.
AfricaNews reported that the party alleged he had been attacked by men carrying bladed weapons near the headquarters of Tshisekedi’s
Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) in Limete.
The exact circumstances surrounding his death have not been independently established.
Kinshasa’s provincial government disputed reports of a fatality, saying its preliminary assessment had recorded no deaths, several injuries and about 20 arrests. ADD Congo has called for an independent investigation.
Opposition Accuses Pro-Government Activists of Violence
Opposition leaders accused activists associated with Force du Progrès, a youth movement linked to the governing party, of attacking demonstrators with sticks, machetes, and other weapons. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
Opposition leader Martin Fayulu, who participated in the demonstration, accused authorities of allowing political violence against protesters. Police intervened as the two sides clashed, using tear gas to clear the march.
The protest had been authorized by Kinshasa authorities, but demonstrators were dispersed before reaching its planned endpoint.
Protests Spread Beyond Kinshasa
The demonstrations were not limited to the capital.
C64 called for nationwide action, with protests reported in several cities, including Lubumbashi, Likasi, Kasumbalesa, Mbandaka and Kisangani.
In Lubumbashi, police used tear gas and warning shots to disperse demonstrators who gathered despite restrictions on protests.
Rights activists reported dozens of arrests in Haut-Katanga province, although police disputed claims that peaceful protesters had been detained.
The demonstrations took place despite restrictions on mass gatherings linked to an Ebola outbreak in the country.
Why Is DR Congo’s Opposition Protesting?
At the center of the political confrontation is a debate over changing the DRC’s constitution.
The country’s current constitutional framework limits presidents to two five-year terms. Tshisekedi, who took office in 2019 and is serving his second term, is due to leave office in 2028 under the existing rules.
In June, Parliament approved legislation establishing a mechanism for submitting proposed constitutional changes to a referendum.
Opposition parties fear the process could ultimately be used to alter the political system in a way that allows Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond 2028.
Tshisekedi has said he would be willing to seek another term if voters approved the necessary changes through a referendum.
His government maintains that constitutional reform should be considered through the country’s legal and democratic processes.
Political Tensions Rise as DRC Faces Multiple Crises
The constitutional dispute comes at a difficult time for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The country is simultaneously confronting an Ebola outbreak and continuing insecurity in the east, where the government remains locked in a conflict involving the M23 armed group.
The political confrontation over constitutional reform adds another layer of uncertainty ahead of the end of Tshisekedi’s current mandate in 2028.
For the opposition, the issue is increasingly focused on preventing any change that could weaken presidential term limits.
For the government, the debate centers on whether constitutional reforms can legitimately be considered and ultimately decided by Congolese voters. Following the violence in Kinshasa, C64 leaders are expected to determine their next steps, including demands for an investigation and appeals for international attention.
What happens next could determine whether the dispute remains a constitutional debate or develops into a broader political confrontation ahead of the DRC’s next presidential election.
