DR Congo - Large-scale protests expected from 19 December
16 December 2016 - RPS Partnership
RPS Partnership offers training, advice and assistance with any travel to Africa and we have up to date information from local colleagues on the ground in DR Congo - North Kivu.
Contact us on [email protected] for more advice and information or just to chat through your plans.
The latest news from DR Congo is as follows:
Mass protests, which are likely to turn violent, are expected to commence on or around 19 December, the day President Joseph Kabila’s term was due to expire before he controversially extended his mandate.
Despite the ban on protests, demonstrations are likely to take place in cities across the country, and a heavy-handed police response is expected. Protests against Kabila in September turned violent when police attempted to disperse crowds, resulting in clashes that the opposition claimed killed up to 50 people, although the government said the figure was around 17.
Witnesses said police assaulted protesters and opened fire on crowds while demonstrators blocked roads with burning tyres in multiple cities, including in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Noone is quite sure if this will be spread across the country, says RPS Partnership, so worth being ready wherever you are located.
The US Embassy in Kinshasa has urged US citizens to leave the country as soon as possible due to the possibility of widespread, violent unrest.
Restrictions on internet use are also due to come into force in the coming days as Congolese telecommunications authorities ordered social media platforms Facebook and Whatsapp to be blocked as soon as possible on 14 December, according an order seen by Agence France-Presse.
Kabila has said logistical and administrative problems prevented the government from organising elections in time for the official end of his term. The opposition, however, has accused the president of deliberately delaying the polls, which are now due to be held in April 2018. The delay has provoked criticism from the international community, and the issue will likely remain a source of tension and unrest until the poll is held.
RPS Partenrship advises the following:
- ensure you have good contigency plans and have a regular checkin with someone outside the country. Ensure your Embassy/MONUSCO know your contract details
- ensure you have enough food and drink to keep yourself going for a few days in case you can not get out
- ensure your vehicles has full tanks and fuel and are stocked with supplies in case you have to drive away from the area
- consider moving to a more secure location over this period
Cotnact us for more information and advice or assistance on [email protected]
Information provided by PGI information services with many thanks
Photos: RPS Partnership in North Kivu, Goma