Mariama Hamani
CENCO accuses police and Force du Progrès of brutalizing opposition protests in DRC
Opposition protests met with excessive force in Kinshasa
- Politics
The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has condemned the violent repression of opposition protests by police forces allegedly collaborating with the Force du Progrès, a youth wing linked to the ruling party. The crackdown, which included tear gas and physical violence, targeted demonstrators rallying against proposed constitutional amendments.
The Episcopal Conference’s executive secretary, Monseigneur Donatien Nshole, expressed alarm over the escalating tensions, noting that dissenting voices within the ruling coalition were being silenced through intimidation and fear of reprisals. The statement highlighted the use of state resources to advance the constitutional reform agenda amid a climate of repression.
The condemnation follows the violent dispersal of a sit-in organized by the C64 Coalition on June 12 in front of the Palais du Peuple. Opposition leaders and activists reported being attacked by both police and Force du Progrès members, who fired tear gas and used physical force to break up the demonstration. Several civil society organizations and international observers have since criticized the heavy-handed tactics employed by security forces.
The CENCO’s statement underscores broader concerns about democratic backsliding in the DRC, where proposed constitutional changes have sparked widespread debate and public outcry. The organization has called for a return to dialogue and negotiation, urging adherence to the Social Pact initiative as an alternative to escalating tensions.
Samyr Lukombo
Boureima Amadou
