Police crack down on protests against constitutional change in DR Congo

Demonstrations held across country against president’s proposed constitutional changes seeking third term.Protests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have spurned violent clashes as police cracked down.Police fired tear gas as hundreds of people protested in the capital Kinshasa on Tuesday against proposed constitutional changes that critics worry could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a ‌third term in power. The political unrest adds to DRC’s struggles as it faces a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak and ongoing conflict in the east of the country.At least 10 people were arrested during the confrontations, with demonstrations also taking place in the cities of Lubumbashi – a major mining centre in the southeast of the country – and Uvira, despite restrictions imposed by authorities.The protests were part of a nationwide day of action called by the “C64” coalition, which was forged by opposition forces in a bid to defeat Tshisekedi’s attempt to change the constitution.“Many of our activists were unfortunately and arbitrarily arrested,” said Mohamed Eyenga of the Envol opposition party, a senior figure in the C64 coalition, according to the AFP news agency.“We were taken aback by the large deployment of the army and police to prevent this peaceful demonstration,” he said.However, the provincial police commander, General Blaise Kilimbalimba, insisted that “peaceful” demonstrators had not been arrested.Security forces take position ahead of a protest organised by opposition parties against constitutional changes proposed by President Felix Tshisekedi, in Kinshasa, DR Congo, September 15, 2026 [Samy Ntumba Shambuyi]Congo’s constitution currently limits presidential terms to two five-year increments.