Congo police used tear gas on Wednesday to break up a protest by opposition supporters in the capital, Kinshasa.
The protesters were demanding a redo of last week’s chaotic presidential and legislative elections. The disputed vote is adding to the instability in the Congo, which is already dealing with a security crisis in the east.
The crisis has hindered the development of the country, which is the world’s leading producer of cobalt and other industrial minerals and metals.
Five of President Felix Tshisekedi‘s opponents in the race, along with civil society organisations, urged their supporters to join a march on Wednesday to protest against the election, claiming it was fraudulent and should be invalidated.
The authorities had previously banned the demonstration against the electoral process, as reported by AFP.
On Tuesday, Interior Minister Peter Kazadi stated that the march would be prohibited. It “aims to undermine the electoral process; the government of the Republic cannot accept this,” he declared.
The opposition maintained its slogan and urged Kinshasa residents to congregate outside the People’s Palace, the seat of Parliament, and march to the Electoral Commission (CENI) headquarters.
Anti-riot police are stationed in the People’s Palace neighbourhood, near the massive Martyrs Stadium, on Wednesday morning.
Around 44 million voters were called upon to participate in the election of their president, national and provincial deputies, and municipal councilors on December 20. However, due to various logistical issues, the voting period was officially extended by one day and continued until Christmas in some remote areas.
Preliminary results of the presidential election show that the current head of state, Félix Tshisekedi, is leading with approximately 79% of the votes. He has been in power since the beginning of 2019 and is now seeking a second five-year term.
Based on the latest available data, which accounts for approximately 6 million votes, Moïse Katumbi, the former governor of the mining region of Katanga, is in second place with 14% of the votes. Martin Fayulu, an unsuccessful candidate in the 2018 presidential election, is in third place with 4% of the votes.
The other candidates, who were approximately twenty years old, would not receive 1% of the votes. Among them, Dr. Denis Mukwege, the recipient of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with women affected by war, would be in 11th place with only 0.12% of the votes.
Opponents had already criticised the elections as chaotic and raised concerns about irregularities as early as December 20. The Archbishop of Kinshasa even described the elections as a massive display of disorder. Several embassies, including the prelate, called for “restraint.”
There are concerns about potential tensions when the winner of the presidential election is announced. The country has a history of political turmoil and violence, despite its vast mineral resources. However, the majority of the population remains impoverished.
“We have taken all measures so that peace reigns,” assured the Minister of the Interior.
