Tensions seem to be on the rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with protests led by coalitions from both ruling and opposition parties. Citizens are speaking up against a recent decision by the country’s parliament to nominate Ronsard Malonda as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) despite allegations of corruption.
According to Aljazeera, police in the country have made several arrests and have allegedly used teargas in the process of breaking up protests in the country’s capital Kinshasa, as well as other cities such as Lubumbashi, Goma and several others. These protests, despite a mandatory lockdown that places a ban on gatherings of more than 20 people, have been going on for more than a week, with the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) expressing concern over the use of lethal force by security agencies that have resulted in several injuries and the death of two protesters, one in Kinshasa and the other in Lubumbashi, Congo.
A police officer was also allegedly lynched and killed by a mob after firing shots at demonstrators during the clashes in Kinshasa. This has also led to the destruction of both private and public properties.
Maintaining a Stronghold on Power
Recent ratifications by the country’s National Assembly to promote Malonda, who currently serves as the CENI’s Secretary-General to the top presidential seat of the commission, have allegedly incited the ongoing protests. Ratified over a week ago by the house in Congo (which is dominated by former President Joseph Kabila’s supporters), the decision is yet to be signed by President Felix Tshisekedi, whose party is strongly against the decision.
Malonda has been accused by the opposition party, Lamuka, of collaborating with the former president to influence elections and results starting from 2006. Despite Kabila’s decision to step down after 18 years to allow for a democratic poll that resulted in President Tshisekedi’s win, he still wields extensive political influence through his parliamentary majority.
