Key facts
- Congolese security forces dispersed protesters in Kinshasa opposing constitutional changes.
- The proposed changes could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term.
- The protest was organized by the opposition coalition C64.
- Clashes erupted between protesters and pro-government supporters before police intervened.
- Police used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the demonstrators.
- Opposition figures Martin Fayulu and Delly Sesanga were reportedly injured.
Congolese security forces dispersed protesters in Kinshasa on Friday who were demonstrating against proposed constitutional changes that opponents claim could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term. The protest, organized by the opposition coalition C64, turned violent when police used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse demonstrators who clashed with pro-government supporters outside Parliament. Several protesters, including prominent opposition figures Martin Fayulu and Delly Sesanga, were reportedly injured. The protest took place after the National Assembly passed a bill that would allow constitutional changes to be put to a public referendum, which opposition leaders view as a move to enable the scrapping of presidential term limits. The constitution currently prohibits revisions to presidential term limits, but a bill under consideration in the National Assembly could permit such modifications in cases of major institutional dysfunction, potentially following a referendum.