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DRC opposition calls for more protests despite recent deaths DRC opposition calls for more protests despite recent deaths
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Opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo say they plan further street protests to pressure President Joseph Kabila to call elections, despite the deaths of dozens of demonstrators earlier this week. Opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo say they plan further street protests to pressure President Joseph Kabila to call elections, despite the deaths of dozens of demonstrators earlier this week.
The call for an intensified street campaign will concern the international community, which has watched the continued turmoil in the vast central African state with increasing alarm.The call for an intensified street campaign will concern the international community, which has watched the continued turmoil in the vast central African state with increasing alarm.
About 40 demonstrators, as well as at least six policemen, were killed in clashes with security forces in Kinshasa, the capital, on Monday and Tuesday. Buildings, including the offices of major opposition parties, were badly damaged amid widespread looting. About 40 demonstrators, as well as at least six police officers, were killed in clashes with security forces in Kinshasa, the capital, on Monday and Tuesday. Buildings, including the offices of major opposition parties, were badly damaged amid widespread looting.
“We will keep up the pressure … and announce more street actions and more demonstrations until Mr Kabila is removed from office,” Martin Fayulu, a parliamentarian and leader of an opposition party, told the Guardian.“We will keep up the pressure … and announce more street actions and more demonstrations until Mr Kabila is removed from office,” Martin Fayulu, a parliamentarian and leader of an opposition party, told the Guardian.
“[Taking to] the street is a right of popular expression in the face of a power that cannot be heard or seen,” said Ève Bazaïba, another major opposition politician.“[Taking to] the street is a right of popular expression in the face of a power that cannot be heard or seen,” said Ève Bazaïba, another major opposition politician.
The DRC has suffered repeated bouts of unrest since Kabila, 45, announced that elections scheduled for later this year would be delayed.The DRC has suffered repeated bouts of unrest since Kabila, 45, announced that elections scheduled for later this year would be delayed.
Opponents say Kabila, whose second term in office expires in December, is trying to cling to power, either by delaying elections or revising the constitution. His supporters say logistical and financial constraints mean it is impossible to hold fair polls as planned.Opponents say Kabila, whose second term in office expires in December, is trying to cling to power, either by delaying elections or revising the constitution. His supporters say logistical and financial constraints mean it is impossible to hold fair polls as planned.
Analysts say this week’s violence marked a turning point.Analysts say this week’s violence marked a turning point.
“Until now all the focus was on political dialogue. Now it is shifting from the corridors of power to the street. Kabila thinks he may be able to tough it out. The opposition thinks it might provoke a crisis,” said Jason Stearns, director of the Congo Research Group at New York University.“Until now all the focus was on political dialogue. Now it is shifting from the corridors of power to the street. Kabila thinks he may be able to tough it out. The opposition thinks it might provoke a crisis,” said Jason Stearns, director of the Congo Research Group at New York University.
Kabila took over as leader of the DRC less than two weeks after his father, Laurent, was shot by a bodyguard in the presidential palace in 2001. He was elected president in disputed polls in 2006 and again in 2011. The DRC’s constitution bars a third term.Kabila took over as leader of the DRC less than two weeks after his father, Laurent, was shot by a bodyguard in the presidential palace in 2001. He was elected president in disputed polls in 2006 and again in 2011. The DRC’s constitution bars a third term.
Analysts say Kabila appears to have adopted a strategy of “glissement”, or indefinite delay.Analysts say Kabila appears to have adopted a strategy of “glissement”, or indefinite delay.
Western states, including the US, have repeatedly told Kabila to stick to the election calendar. Several – most notably the US – are now considering targeted sanctions against key senior individuals within his inner circle. However the opposition is fragmented, with some major figures overseas and others joining talks with the president’s representatives.Western states, including the US, have repeatedly told Kabila to stick to the election calendar. Several – most notably the US – are now considering targeted sanctions against key senior individuals within his inner circle. However the opposition is fragmented, with some major figures overseas and others joining talks with the president’s representatives.
Juvénal Munubo, a parliamentarian with the opposition Union Pour La Nation Congolaise said that the coming weeks would see a surge in violence if Kabila did not clarify his position on leaving power and move to reduce tensions with political opponents by releasing political prisoners or dropping law cases against dissidents.Juvénal Munubo, a parliamentarian with the opposition Union Pour La Nation Congolaise said that the coming weeks would see a surge in violence if Kabila did not clarify his position on leaving power and move to reduce tensions with political opponents by releasing political prisoners or dropping law cases against dissidents.
Munubo called for a new date for the election to be fixed for next year as soon as possible. “The negotiations are the best way forward but must be inclusive and conclude rapidly,” he said.Munubo called for a new date for the election to be fixed for next year as soon as possible. “The negotiations are the best way forward but must be inclusive and conclude rapidly,” he said.
The office of Kabila, who has been abroad during the unrest attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, issued its first statement on Wednesday condemning the violence and offering its condolences to victims’ families. The office of Kabila, who has been abroad during the unrest attending the United Nations general assembly in New York, issued its first statement on Wednesday condemning the violence and offering its condolences to victims’ families.
Kabila “invites the entire population to go about their daily activities now that security is again fully ensured,” it said on state-owned television.Kabila “invites the entire population to go about their daily activities now that security is again fully ensured,” it said on state-owned television.
Human rights groups say they have catalogued a wave of detentions, disappearances and attacks on opponents of the government. Government officials have denied the allegations.Human rights groups say they have catalogued a wave of detentions, disappearances and attacks on opponents of the government. Government officials have denied the allegations.
“The DRC looks forward to working with the international community, civil society and opposition parties to advance democracy and rule of law,” said Barnabé Kikaya bin Karubi, chief diplomatic adviser to Kabila.“The DRC looks forward to working with the international community, civil society and opposition parties to advance democracy and rule of law,” said Barnabé Kikaya bin Karubi, chief diplomatic adviser to Kabila.
One point of contention is the timing of different sets of elections. Another is the revision of the electoral roll.One point of contention is the timing of different sets of elections. Another is the revision of the electoral roll.
Kabila loyalists say problems with the electoral roll make it impossible to hold a fair poll this year. The current version is thought to exclude about half of the DRC’s 45 million potential voters, including about 7 million new voters who have come of age since 2011. Independent experts have said a complete revision could take 10-18 months.Kabila loyalists say problems with the electoral roll make it impossible to hold a fair poll this year. The current version is thought to exclude about half of the DRC’s 45 million potential voters, including about 7 million new voters who have come of age since 2011. Independent experts have said a complete revision could take 10-18 months.
Whereas neighbouring strongmen Denis Sassou Nguesso in Congo-Brazzaville and Paul Kagame in Rwanda easily pushed through constitutional changes to allow them to stand for third terms, Kabila has been unable to take such a blunt approach.Whereas neighbouring strongmen Denis Sassou Nguesso in Congo-Brazzaville and Paul Kagame in Rwanda easily pushed through constitutional changes to allow them to stand for third terms, Kabila has been unable to take such a blunt approach.
Kabila did manage to outmanoeuvre Moïse Katumbi, a tycoon who was seen as a powerful challenger. Katumbi, who had built a support base in Katanga province, was forced to leave the country earlier this year to seek medical treatment.Kabila did manage to outmanoeuvre Moïse Katumbi, a tycoon who was seen as a powerful challenger. Katumbi, who had built a support base in Katanga province, was forced to leave the country earlier this year to seek medical treatment.
Katumbi is currently in Washington, from where he issued a call for sanctions this week. “Without sanctions, they will continue killing people like mosquitoes,” Katumbi said.Katumbi is currently in Washington, from where he issued a call for sanctions this week. “Without sanctions, they will continue killing people like mosquitoes,” Katumbi said.
Congo has found itself the focus of a range of foreign actors in recent weeks. These include the governments of France and the former colonial power, Belgium. An Italian MEP of Congolese origin took to YouTube last week, saying she was “proud to see the Congolese people rise up for their rights”.Congo has found itself the focus of a range of foreign actors in recent weeks. These include the governments of France and the former colonial power, Belgium. An Italian MEP of Congolese origin took to YouTube last week, saying she was “proud to see the Congolese people rise up for their rights”.
However the attitude of the US is key, and both Katumbi and Kabila have engaged lobbyists in Washington, recognising that winning the battle for policymakers’ opinion there may be the way to win the struggle for power.However the attitude of the US is key, and both Katumbi and Kabila have engaged lobbyists in Washington, recognising that winning the battle for policymakers’ opinion there may be the way to win the struggle for power.
The frustration of US officials with Kabila is increasingly evident. Bin Karubi, the president’s adviser, described his recent trip to Washington as a “pleading mission” to avert sanctions.The frustration of US officials with Kabila is increasingly evident. Bin Karubi, the president’s adviser, described his recent trip to Washington as a “pleading mission” to avert sanctions.
Bilateral aid cuts are also possible – though most assistance is humanitarian and thus difficult to reduce without hurting ordinary people. Though GDP growth in Congo is estimated at around 5% per annum, there are deep economic problems and entrenched poverty.Bilateral aid cuts are also possible – though most assistance is humanitarian and thus difficult to reduce without hurting ordinary people. Though GDP growth in Congo is estimated at around 5% per annum, there are deep economic problems and entrenched poverty.
Some observers argue that both the government and opposition parties no longer reflect popular frustration at harsh living conditions.Some observers argue that both the government and opposition parties no longer reflect popular frustration at harsh living conditions.
“The political elite is arguing over power. The opposition are trying to gather the popular frustration to their side to oust Kabila but people are getting quite frustrating with a strategy which has made it very hard for them to provide for their families,” said Hans Hoebeke, a Congo analyst with the International Crisis Group.“The political elite is arguing over power. The opposition are trying to gather the popular frustration to their side to oust Kabila but people are getting quite frustrating with a strategy which has made it very hard for them to provide for their families,” said Hans Hoebeke, a Congo analyst with the International Crisis Group.
Damas, 35, is a qualified electrician but drives a taxi. His neighbourhood, Kinsuka, in south Kinshasa, saw significant violence last week.Damas, 35, is a qualified electrician but drives a taxi. His neighbourhood, Kinsuka, in south Kinshasa, saw significant violence last week.
“Really there is too much suffering here, in Congo. Even if you work, the ends of the month are tough ... Here there is no middle class. You are either very rich or very poor. If you have any chance to get out somehow, you’ve got to seize it,” he said.“Really there is too much suffering here, in Congo. Even if you work, the ends of the month are tough ... Here there is no middle class. You are either very rich or very poor. If you have any chance to get out somehow, you’ve got to seize it,” he said.
Almost all observers predict more unrest.Almost all observers predict more unrest.
“There will be further protests in the street, the question is: where will they lead? Are they just going to lead to turmoil that is manageable for Kabila? Or call into question the economic and political stability of the country? We are talking about months, possibly years, of instability, and that could take us anywhere,” Stearns said.“There will be further protests in the street, the question is: where will they lead? Are they just going to lead to turmoil that is manageable for Kabila? Or call into question the economic and political stability of the country? We are talking about months, possibly years, of instability, and that could take us anywhere,” Stearns said.