DRC: Rally against constitution change plan turns violent

Lead

Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo fired tear gas to disperse an opposition rally in Kinshasa on Friday, as clashes broke out between opposition and pro-government activists. The demonstration, organized by the opposition coalition C64, was held outside the parliament building to protest against a proposed law that could extend President Felix Tshisekedi's time in office beyond his current two-term limit, according to AFP reporters at the scene.

Coverage Comparison

Two international news outlets, AFP (via Africa News and Al Jazeera) and Al Jazeera, reported on the events, with consistent accounts of the violence. Both sources noted that the gathering initially drew around a hundred demonstrators and quickly turned into skirmishes, with stone-throwing and police intervention using tear gas. The reports agree on the key details: opposition leader Martin Fayulu and fellow opposition figure Prince Epenge sustained minor injuries during the chaos.

Key Claims

• Police dispersal and clashes: Police dispersed the crowds with tear gas as opposition and pro-government activists clashed, according to visual verification by an AFP journalist. Both reports emphasize the rapid escalation from a peaceful protest to violence.
• Proposed constitutional change: The DRC's constitution currently bars any revision of presidential term limits. However, a bill under consideration in the National Assembly would permit the president to amend the constitution in the event of a "major dysfunction" that paralyzes state institutions, potentially after a referendum. This is reported by both sources, which also note Tshisekedi's recent statement that he would serve a third term "if the people wish it." These claims are grounded in the president's own public declarations.
• Injuries to opposition figures: Martin Fayulu, who placed second in the 2018 presidential election, and Prince Epenge were injured, with video showing blood around Fayulu's eyes and shirt. This is corroborated by AFP's on-the-ground reporting and separate video evidence.
• Attack on ECIDE headquarters: After the rally, some opposition protesters took refuge in the headquarters of Fayulu's Commitment to Citizenship and Development (ECIDE) party. According to a single AFP report, police and activists claiming to belong to the Forces of Progress, a youth movement linked to the ruling party, briefly attacked the building with stones. Fayulu was quoted as saying that Tshisekedi "has associated the Forces of Progress militia with the police to attack unarmed activists." This specific allegation has not been independently verified.
• Former president's call: Former president Joseph Kabila urged Congolese to support all initiatives opposing constitutional change, as reported by one outlet. This statement appears to be a direct quote but was not corroborated by a second source.

Perspectives

Government/Pro-Tshisekedi Perspective: President Tshisekedi has framed any potential constitutional change as a democratic exercise, stating he would only extend his tenure "if the people wish it" through a referendum. The ruling majority has argued that the proposed bill is a mechanism to address institutional paralysis, not a power grab. Pro-government activists, including the Forces of Progress, are portrayed by some as patriotic defenders of the president's agenda.

Opposition Perspective: The C64 coalition and its leader Martin Fayulu view the constitutional change as a blatant attempt by Tshisekedi to cling to power, circumventing democratic term limits. They accuse the government of using state forces and affiliated militias to suppress peaceful dissent and assault opposition figures. The violence at the rally, and the attack on the ECIDE headquarters, are cited as evidence of authoritarian overreach.

International/Neutral Observers: AFP and Al Jazeera present the events as a confrontation triggered by political tensions, with both sides contributing to the clashes. While they note the legal provisions against term-limit revisions, they do not take a position on the constitutionality of the proposed bill. The reports also situate the unrest within the broader context of the DRC's ongoing crises, including the Ebola outbreak and the conflict with M23 rebels, which may be used to justify political stability measures.