The opposition march on Saturday May 20 in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was violently repressed by the Congolese national police. Tear gas was used to disperse peaceful demonstrators, particularly at the intersection of Kianza and University avenues, in the commune of Ngaba. The four opponents who led the demonstration, Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Delly Sesanga and Matata Ponyo, organized this rally to protest against the high cost of living, the growing insecurity in the east of the country and the chaotic electoral process. Nevertheless, at a harmonization meeting, opponents and the governor failed to agree on routes. While the governor offered them a single route, opponents stuck to their original route. The police were therefore instructed to disperse any gathering of more than ten people and used force against peaceful demonstrators.
The brutal crackdown on protesters has sparked outrage and anger among political opponents. Moïse Katumbi, one of the four opponents who led the march, expressed his disagreement with the heavy presence of the police forces and their use of force against peaceful demonstrators. He deplored the fact that President Félix Tshisekedi, with whom he had fought to free the Congolese from poverty, did not follow this same path of protection and respect for the rights of the populations. The political situation in the DRC is increasingly fragile and unpredictable, reflecting the violent repression of peaceful opposition demonstrations.
The DRC has to face many challenges that endanger its development and political stability. Sexual violence, natural disasters, internal conflicts and foreign interference are among the challenges facing the DRC. It is necessary that the Congolese authorities take measures to guarantee peace and security to the civilian populations and to fight against the widespread corruption in the country. Political actors must also find solutions to guarantee transparent and democratic elections, as well as to ensure a peaceful and stable transition for the future of the country.