Title: DRC: the repression of the opposition demonstration denounced
On Saturday May 20, a peaceful demonstration by the Congolese opposition in Kinshasa was repressed by the Congolese national police. The police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. The organizers of the march, Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Delly Sesanga and Matata Ponyo, denounced the repression exerted against peaceful demonstrators.
Moïse Katumbi, one of the leaders of the physical opposition present at the demonstration, described the repression as “crazy” by referring to the hundreds of innocent people who were victims of this repression. He deplored the strong presence of police elements who used force against peaceful demonstrators. Katumbi undertakes to fight for them as for all Congolese.
The demonstration was intended to protest against the high cost of living, growing insecurity in the country and a chaotic electoral process. The organizers had called a peaceful demonstration to say no to these evils which affect the Congolese population and particularly in the east of the country, marked by yet another Rwandan aggression.
However, during a harmonization meeting at City Hall, opponents and Governor Gentiny Ngobila did not agree on routes. The police have therefore been instructed to take steps to disperse any gathering of more than 10 people.
This repression was denounced by several political figures as well as by civil society, which called for strong action by the authorities. The Congolese government demands investigations into this crackdown