Democratic Republic of the Congo
Thursday 27.9.2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
Kabila not running for another term, but human rights concerns persist
Four of the five Filimbi activists who have been in detention since December 2017 for mobilising citizens for the 31st December 2017 protests, as reported previously on the Monitor, were sentenced to one year in prison on 25 September 2018. Carbonne Beni, Grâce Tshionza, Cédric Kalonji and Mino Momponices were found guilty for the charges of insulting the Head of State, undermining the internal security of the state and publishing and distributing subversive writings. Earlier on 17 August 2018, the Public Prosecutor requested a three year prison sentence for the five activists. Read more
Thursday 21.6.2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
CSOs and UN Special Rapporteurs concerned over draft Law on Associations
On 6th June, three UN experts expressed their concerns over the draft law, saying that some of the provisions are overly broad. Read more
Friday 11.5.2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
Deadly anti-Kabila protests followed by wave of arrests of social movement activists
After the deadly crackdown on protests on 31st December 2017, Comité laïc de coordination (CLC) close to the Catholic Church organised other protests after mass on 21st January and 25th February, both of which were brutally repressed by security forces. Read more
Wednesday 10.1.2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
Deadly crackdown on anti-government protests on New Years eve
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) finally published the electoral agenda on 5th November, indicating that presidential elections, together with legislative and provincial elections, will only take place in December 2018, two years after Kabila's constitutional term ended. Opposition and civil society actors have rejected the electoral agenda, as an agreement brokered in December 2016 stipulated that elections would take place in 2017. Some have called for a 'citizen transition', while movement LUCHA (Lutte pour le Changement) has called for 'civil disobedience and a popular uprising', including a nationwide peaceful protest on 15th November. Read more
Wednesday 18.10.2017 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
4 LUCHA activists released, while 4 HRDs sentenced to prison
On 3rd October, the authorities released four activists from the citizen movement Lutte pour le changement (LUCHA), after they had spent more than 75 days in detention. Nicolas Mbiya, Josué Cibuabua, Mamie Ndaya and Josué Kabongo were arrested in Mbuji Mayi in July. As reported previously, Mbiya was arrested on 14th July 2017. Read more
Thursday 7.9.2017 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
More than 100 detained during protests, including 15 journalists
Over 100 people were arrested on 31st July 2017 in relation to the protests, organised in several cities throughout the country, by citizen movements to demand the publication of the electoral calendar from the CENI - the independent national election commission - and therefore the holding of elections. Protests have been banned for a year through orders, circulars or simple declarations. According to the organisers, the assemblies were in some localities prevented by heavy police presence, and in other localities repressed by security forces such as the use of tear gas and live ammunition in Bukavu, resulting in several injured according to civil society organisations. Protests took place in Goma, Bukavu, Kinsasha, Lubumbashi, Butembo, Mbandaka and Béni. Read more
Thursday 20.7.2017 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
Violence, arrests and killings as President Kabila clings to power
Human rights defender Nicolas Mbiya was arrested on 14th July 2017 outside of his home in Mbuji-Mayi, and is reportedly held by the Agence Nationale des Renseignements (ANR). Mbiya is an activist for the Lutte pour le Changement/ Struggle for Change (LUCHA), a youth civil society movement. He was released This has been the third time Mbiya was arrested in a period of 8 months. Read more
Wednesday 1.2.2017 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
Political deal hangs in the balance as activists languish in DRC jails
A deal brokered by the Catholic Church on New Year's Eve hangs in the balance as democracy activists remain in jail. Read more
Wednesday 23.11.2016 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
Civil society meets to discuss DRC crisis
A dialogue on the DRC in Johannesburg on 17th November discussed the dynamics of the current political crisis facing the country. Read more
Thursday 22.9.2016 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments
Repression of protests leaves dozens dead in Kinshasa
As protests mount against President Joseph Kabila's moves to extend his term beyond the constitutional limit, at least 32 people were killed, with police using lethal force against demonstrators. Read more