Last weekend, the city of Kinshasa was the scene of political demonstrations organized by opposition parties, the youth of the UDPS and the ACP. The Congolese National Police has deployed several hundred police officers to oversee and secure these activities.
The UDPS march went smoothly, while that of the opposition refused to respect the route authorized by the police, causing incidents and clashes with the police. Several acts of vandalism were recorded, including the attack on a journalist and the burning of a sub-police station.
The provisional toll of these political demonstrations is heavy: 27 police officers injured, 3 seriously by projectiles thrown by opposition demonstrators, 6 machetes seized and 20 individuals arrested for acts of vandalism. Police also confirmed the arrest of three officers responsible for beating protesters and a minor.
The Congolese government has condemned the police violence and called for strong action by the authorities to put an end to it. President Tshisekedi also expressed concern about public order and security, stressing the importance of ensuring peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These events serve as a reminder of the need to strengthen security measures and the application of order in the country. They also stress the importance of peaceful participation of all political actors in the democratic life of the nation.