DR Congo: Kinshasa Under Siege for a 'Dead City' Day

Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is preparing for a 'dead city' day announced by the political platform C64. This initiative aims to protest against a constitutional revision project deemed unacceptable by the opposition. The provincial commissioner of the Congolese National Police (PNC) chaired a strategic meeting on Thursday, May 28, to implement appropriate security measures.

Law enforcement will be deployed throughout the city to ensure the safety of citizens and maintain public order. According to the provincial commissioner, 'any attempt at a march or public disorder will be suppressed.' He also urged the residents of Kinshasa to go about their daily activities calmly, indicating that the call for a 'dead city' day would not be respected.

'The police presence will be effective,' he assured during an interview from his office at the special operations headquarters. This deployment comes amid a tense political context, where the opposition accuses President Félix Tshisekedi of exacerbating tensions with his controversial projects.

The concept of a 'dead city' is not new in the DRC. It has been used several times by social and political movements to express their dissatisfaction with government decisions. Previous reports have shown that these days can sometimes escalate into violent protests, as observed in Goma last December, where violence erupted during a similar day.

Observers are questioning the real impact of this new mobilization. Recent 'dead city' days have not always succeeded in achieving their objectives, often facing strong police repression. However, the opposition appears determined to make its voice heard against what it considers an authoritarian drift of the current power.

As political tensions continue to rise, the situation in Kinshasa could evolve rapidly. Residents remain attentive to developments and the authorities' reactions to this new wave of protest.