Tensions escalated in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, as riot police amassed in the city center to block an opposition-led protest demanding a rerun of last week’s national election. Five challengers to President Felix Tshisekedi have alleged fraud in the election and called for a re-evaluation of the results.
Despite the government’s ban on the protest, citing potential interference with the national election commission’s work, opposition leaders pressed forward, prompting a heavy police presence. The challengers, including Martin Fayulu, had planned to gather at Fayulu’s headquarters, but police surrounded the location, some in riot gear and others armed with rifles.
Scheduled to begin at 0900 GMT, there were no immediate signs of large crowds gathering due to the heightened security. Concurrent protests emerged in the eastern city of Butembo, where demonstrators blocked roads and disrupted traffic with burning tires.
The December 20 election, marred by delayed deliveries of election materials, malfunctioning equipment, and disorganized voting lists, has fueled discontent. The opposition organizers criticized the extension of voting at polling stations that failed to open on election day, deeming it unconstitutional and grounds for a complete rerun. Some independent observers share concerns that the extension undermines the poll’s credibility.
The National Election Commission (CENI) has acknowledged delays but denied compromising the election’s legitimacy with the voting extension. CENI’s latest tally on Tuesday showed Tshisekedi leading with almost 79% of around 6.1 million votes counted so far, out of a registered 44 million voters. The unrest surrounding the disputed election adds to the challenges facing Congo, already grappling with a security crisis in the east.
