Hundreds of people protested in the capital Kinshasa on Tuesday against proposed constitutional changes that critics fear could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term. Police fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, and at least 10 people were arrested, according to AFP.

The protests were part of a nationwide day of action called by the "C64" coalition, formed by opposition forces 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. "We were taken aback by the large deployment of the army and police to prevent this peaceful demonstration."

However, the provincial police commander, General Blaise Kilimbalimba, insisted that "peaceful" demonstrators had not been arrested. Demonstrations also took place in the cities of Lubumbashi and Uvira, despite restrictions imposed by authorities.

Congo's constitution currently limits presidential terms to two five-year increments. In June, DRC's parliament adopted a bill allowing constitutional changes to be put to a referendum, and members of Tshisekedi's coalition have backed changes that would allow him to remain in office. Opposition parties and the powerful Catholic Church have condemned the proposal.

The unrest comes three weeks after Tshisekedi announced plans for a national dialogue, bringing together opposition parties, civil society groups and religious leaders. However, the discussion would exclude the M23 and other rebel groups that control parts of eastern DRC. Fighting over the resource-rich region has persisted for decades and flared up once more in 2024.

Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels – an allegation that Kigali denies. Key commitments under a precarious peace process remain unresolved. Officials from the DRC and Rwanda are due to reconvene in Geneva, Switzerland on September 16 and 17 for talks on the implementation of the 2025 Washington Accords.

The conflict has complicated the DRC's bid to suppress the Ebola outbreak, which is now the world's worst on record. The disease has spread across conflict-plagued, remote eastern and northern regions, where armed groups have roamed for decades, the presence of the state is weak, and health infrastructure is largely lacking.

Source: www.aljazeera.com