Peaceful DR Congo Protest Turns Into Riot After Men Attack With Batons and Planks

A riot broke out and unidentified men attacked protesters during a demonstration in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital today against what opponents say are President Joseph Kabila's plans to cling to power after his constitutional mandate ends in 2016.

There were more than 1,000 people on the streets of Kinshasa participating in the protests. The unidentified men carrying batons and planks of wood attacked demonstrators shortly after opposition leaders began their speeches at an open-air meeting, a witness said. The meeting then descended into chaos as some people began striking others with chairs while others jumped from the stage to avoid the violence.

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Chaos at Kinshasa opposition demo, one man accused of being a ruling party supporter severely beaten — Maud Jullien (@MaudJullien)September 15, 2015

The crowd, which gathered in the N'djili commune of Kinshasa, waved the flags of opposition parties and banners reading "Respect for the constitution is not negotiable," and "Mr Kabila's mandate ends on December 19, 2016."

Kabila's opponents accuse him of trying to stay in office beyond the end of his second and final elected term next December. The 44-year-old president took power in 2001 when his father was assassinated, and he won disputed elections in 2006 and 2011.

"We need to respect the constitution," said Bienvenu Seffu, a 53-year-old school teacher and a supporter of the opposition Union for the Congolese Nation. "This is a county for all Congolese, not just one man."

The protest, which was authorized by the governor of Kinshasa, Andre Kimbuta, was peaceful. A few dozen police sat outside a nearby restaurant, watching the demonstrators.

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Opposition demonstration in Kinshasa today. — Jason Stearns (@jasonkstearns)September 15, 2015

It was the first major anti-government rally since at least 40 people were killed in protests in Kinshasa and other cities in January. They were demonstrating against a revision to the electoral code, which critics said was a pretext to delay the presidential vote. Parliament dropped the proposed amendment.

Kabila has refused to comment publicly on his political future, though a spokesman has said that he intends to respect the constitution.

Tuesday's rally was called by several major opposition parties, including the Movement for the Liberation of Congo and Union for the Congolese Nation. It took place as parliament opened for its fall session.

The opposition says that a packed election calendar of more than a dozen local, provincial, and national elections in the next 14 months is Kabila's latest ploy to delay the presidential vote.

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The constitutional court ordered the election commission to revisit the calendar last week, saying budgetary and political constraints have made it untenable.

The largest opposition party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, broke off talks with representatives of Kabila on Sunday aimed at clearing the way for a national dialogue, but it did not call its supporters to the street.

Leading parties in Kabila's coalition warned him in a letter on Monday that actions by his allies had given the impression that he intends to violate the constitution by remaining in power.

They warned that violating the constitution's two-term limit risks destabilising the vast Central African country, where regional wars between 1996 and 2003 killed millions, including many from hunger and disease.

"We need this Machiavellian and mafia-like band to go," said businessman Apollinaire Lubamba at the protest.

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