the citizen's blog
The Kasaï-Central region in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been hit by a series of tragic accidents, involving natural accidents and acts of suicide. Local authorities must quickly find solutions to protect the population from these tragic incidents.
In the village of Katula in the chiefdom of Bashu, suspected ADF rebels massacred sixteen people during a wake. The governor of the province calls for an intensification of military operations in the region to end this cycle of violence. This new massacre comes the day after another attack by the same rebels in Bunimba where civilians were kidnapped. The security situation in the region remains precarious and the populations need adequate protection. The international community should support the government’s efforts to improve the political and security situation in the DRC.
The Lubero area in North Kivu was the scene of clashes between the FARDC and Mai-Mai militiamen. Two Mai-Mai fighters were killed and a soldier was seriously injured in the attack. Despite the efforts of the Congolese army to fight against armed groups, the situation in the DRC remains tense, especially in Kinshasa where a march was violently repressed by the security forces. However, the country is making efforts to improve internet connectivity. Edouard Mwangachuchu, the national deputy, is prosecuted for “treason” and “possession of weapons”, adding to the political tensions which reign in the DRC.
This article recounts the brutal repression of the opposition march in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 20, as well as the reactions of various political actors to this event. He also mentions the determination of the opposition to continue its fight to obtain fairer and more inclusive elections.
During an opposition demonstration in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a journalist was seriously injured by an offender armed with a machete. Law enforcement also used violence against protesters, causing friction. The DRC has to deal with many security and political issues, despite the upcoming launch of the largest internet exchange point in Central Africa.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Denis Mukwege expressed outrage at the crackdown on the opposition march in Kinshasa on May 20, calling the situation “dictatorial drift”. Several injuries were reported after Congolese authorities used force to prevent the peaceful gathering. He called on the authorities to respect the fundamental rights of citizens and to prosecute elements of the police who commit violence. Human rights violations in the DRC are worrying, requiring concrete measures to end the violence and repression.
The article relates the events that took place on May 20, 2021 in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a march organized by the opposition to protest against the high cost of living, insecurity and the electoral process. The Alliance of Forces for the Well-Being of the Congolese (AFBC), a platform close to the opposition, condemned the brutal repression of the march by the security forces as well as the acts of violence committed. Opposition leaders denounced an attack on the freedom of peaceful demonstration. However, the Congolese government demanded an investigation into the violence committed by the security forces and the High Military Court questioned the nationality and country of residence of a deputy prosecuted for treason and possession of weapons. The fight for the establishment of democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo therefore remains a crucial issue for the AFBC and the opposition.
The peaceful demonstration by the Congolese opposition in Kinshasa was violently repressed by the Congolese national police who used tear gas. The organizers of the march denounced the crackdown on peaceful protesters. The demonstration was intended to protest against the high cost of living, growing insecurity in the country and a chaotic electoral process. This repression was denounced by several political figures and by civil society, which called for strong action by the authorities. The Congolese government demands investigations into this repression.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched the largest exchange point in Central Africa, called “Africa Congo Internet Exchange” (ACIX), in partnership with the NGO “Internet Pour Tous”, the German company DE-CIX and the Digital Development Agency (ADN). This exchange point will allow operators to interconnect and exchange traffic via a routing protocol, thus facilitating the transmission of all types of content. It will also provide a better experience for users in neighboring countries and provide free internet connection to thousands of schools. ACIX will enable the DRC to play a vital role in the transmission of sub-regional and continental Internet traffic.
National deputy Édouard Mwangachuchu is being prosecuted for treason and possession of weapons. Mwangachuchu’s nationality and country of residence are in question after a Covid-19 test which indicates that he presented himself as a Rwandan subject during a trip to Rwanda in May 2021. This case is an illustration of the complexity of the political situation in the DRC, which has seen violent demonstrations and armed clashes. Despite this, positive initiatives are in place to enhance development and stability in the country.