The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing a tense political climate a few months before the general elections scheduled for December 2023. Part of the Congolese opposition, in particular Ensemble pour la République by Moïse Katumbi, ECiDé by Martin Fayulu, LGD by Matata Ponyo and Envol de Delly Sesanga organize demonstrations against the “chaotic” electoral process and the possible re-election of the current President Tshisekedi. The first demonstration organized on May 20 was repressed by the police, leading to a wave of national and international reactions.
The posting of videos of police violence on social media sparked widespread outrage. The former coordinator of the National Monitoring Mechanism of the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement and newly appointed roving ambassador of President Félix Tshisekedi, Claude Ibalanky thus reflected on the regulation of access to social networks, evoking the restriction and control as in China and Dubai to prevent abuse.
The Congolese government under Kabila had already ordered the Internet to be shut down on several occasions, notably in 2018 after the general elections, hampering the dissemination of results. To limit access, the government can order Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to limit access to their subscribers, block all Internet access, or severely limit traffic to specific sites to deter users.
This situation, which is likely to worsen with the upcoming elections, can hamper freedom of expression and communication, encourage shootings on social networks, and limit the transparency of electoral processes and government actions.