Clashes in DR Congo as protesters oppose constitutional change

Police fired tear gas and arrested activists as protesters rallied in cities across the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday against President Felix Tshisekedi's plan to change the constitution.

Demonstrators clashed with pro-government activists in Kinshasa, while police in other cities broke up protests banned by local authorities.

Opposition parties have joined forces in recent months to stand against Tshisekedi's attempt to change the constitution so he can run for a third term.

Hundreds took to the streets in Kinshasa beneath a forest of flags after the "C64" coalition of opposition forces called for a day of nationwide action on Tuesday.

Riot police were deployed in large numbers along the planned march route and at the major intersections in the capital, where traffic was unusually smooth.

Clashes soon broke out after the march set off between pro-government and opposition supporters.

Police intervened with volleys of tear gas, forcing protesters to retreat in disarray, with at least two of them injured, AFP journalists reported.

'Arbitrary' arrests

Tshisekedi was elected in 2019 and again in 2023 by a wide margin, which left the opposition weakened.

A senior figure in the C64 movement last month urged the president to give up his push to change the constitution to lift the two-term limit.

The move, approved by a parliament dominated by the ruling party, comes with much of the country riven by conflict, particularly in the east, where the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group seized swathes of territory last year.

The C64 group rejected Tshisekedi's offer of national dialogue last month, accusing him of wanting to use it to embed his position, and instead called for Tuesday's day of protest.

In Lubumbashi, a major mining centre in the southeast, activists defied a protest ban by local authorities, gathering in the city centre before police dispersed them with tear gas and warning shots.

Several people were arrested by police, according to an AFP journalist on the scene.

"We were taken aback by the large deployment of the army and police to prevent this peaceful demonstration," said Mohamed Eyenga, provincial coordinator of the Envol opposition party and a senior figure in the C64 coalition.

"Many of our activists were unfortunately and arbitrarily arrested," he said.

General Blaise Kilimbalimba, the provincial police commander, insisted no "peaceful" demonstrator had been arrested.

"The police have taken measures to allow every citizen to go about their activities freely," he said.

"The situation has been calm since this morning."

In Mbandaka, capital of northwestern Equateur province, where authorities also banned protests, around 100 activists were dispersed by law enforcement officers brandishing weapons.

About 10 people were arrested, an AFP journalist on site said.

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