The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government has banned mass gatherings in Kinshasa and three other provinces to reduce the risk of spreading the Ebola virus. The decision was revealed in a letter from Minister of the Interior Jacquemain Shabani, dated Saturday, 27 June. It comes as the opposition prepares to hold a large demonstration in the capital on 8 July.

Declared on 15 May, this 17th Ebola epidemic in the DRC has officially caused 360 deaths out of 1,274 recorded cases. Although the four northeastern provinces remain the hardest hit, no transmission has been reported in Kinshasa, a megacity of over 17 million inhabitants.

In his letter, the minister requests local authorities to prohibit “mass gatherings” to “avoid any contamination from the Ebola virus epidemic.” The text does not explicitly state whether the opposition demonstration is the target of this measure.

Decision amid heightened political tensions

The ban comes at a time of strong political tension over a proposed law to organise a referendum on constitutional revision. The opposition fears this reform could pave the way for President Félix Tshisekedi, in power since 2019, to seek a third term, while the current constitution limits the head of state to two terms.

Adopted in mid-June by a parliament dominated by the presidential majority, the text now awaits possible promulgation by the president.

On 12 June, a previous opposition rally denouncing a “constitutional coup” was violently dispersed in Kinshasa. Clashes between protesters, pro-government supporters and security forces left several people injured. The United Nations also reported the death of “at least one protester.”

Despite the announced restrictions, the opposition maintains its call to demonstrate on 8 July to demand Félix Tshisekedi’s resignation. On Monday, Jacquemain Shabani described the call as an “act of high treason.”