Human rights group Amnesty International says the authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have overseen a systematic crackdown on opponents of President Joseph Kabila’s attempt to stay in power beyond the constitutionally mandated second term.
In a new report, ‘Dismantling dissent: DRC’s repression of expression amidst electoral delays’ Amnesty International says the DR Congo government is using state institutions to prevent people who oppose a prolongation of President Kabila’s term in office to organize and express themselves.
The human rights watchdog says local authorities in three different places have imposed blanket bans on demonstrations, and have even broken up indoor meetings of political opposition parties. Numerous opposition protests have been declared unauthorized while demonstrations in support of the ruling coalition have been held freely, facilitated by the police and local authorities.
Political leaders who left the ruling coalition in disagreement over term limits have faced reprisals.
Moise Katumbi, a prominent businessman and politician, was targeted by the authorities soon after he declared his intention to stand in the forthcoming election. He was subsequently charged with hiring mercenaries and selling a house that did not belong to him. He left the country for medical treatment, and was sentenced in absentia in June 2016 to three years in jail and a US$1 million fine. He continues to live in exile.
Martin Fayulu, an MP who has been a leading voice in the campaign against President Kabila standing for a third term, was arrested in February 2016 as he was mobilizing people in the capital, Kinshasa, to take part in Ville Morte, a general strike called by the opposition to protest the electoral delays. He was released the same evening, but told Amnesty International that his car, campaign material and other personal belongings remain confiscated.
“The international community, including DRC’s regional partners, must encourage the DRC authorities to bring this wave of repression to a speedy end, unconditionally release all individuals detained for political reasons and drop the charges against them.”
Source PANA
