Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo have dispersed opposition protests in several cities over proposed constitutional changes that critics say could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
Reuters witnesses reported that police fired tear gas and warning shots during clashes in the capital, Kinshasa, on Tuesday.
The protests were organised by the opposition C64 coalition, which is linked to former presidential candidates Martin Fayulu, Moise Katumbi and Delly Sesanga.
A previous C64 protest in Kinshasa in June was also violently dispersed by security forces.
Several hundred people took part in Tuesday’s protest in Kinshasa, according to two Reuters witnesses.
In Lubumbashi and Uvira, local authorities had banned the demonstrations, but protesters went ahead with them before security forces quickly dispersed the gatherings, witnesses said.
The Kinshasa protest had been authorised and initially proceeded peacefully before clashes broke out between protesters and supporters of the government.
Both groups threw stones and brandished machetes, prompting police to intervene, according to Reuters witnesses.
Opposition rejects constitutional changes
The protests came about three weeks after Tshisekedi announced plans for a national dialogue involving opposition parties, civil society organisations and religious leaders.
The proposed dialogue, however, excludes rebels who control parts of eastern Congo.
Tshisekedi has presented the dialogue as an avenue for addressing the country’s political challenges.
Opposition parties and the influential Catholic Church have opposed proposed constitutional changes that could allow the president to seek another term.
Congo’s constitution currently limits presidents to two five-year terms.
Parliament approved a bill in June allowing proposed constitutional changes to be put to a referendum.
Members of Tshisekedi’s governing coalition have backed changes that could allow him to remain in office beyond the current constitutional limit.
