Leading opposition leader Moise Katumbi arrived in Kinshasa late yesterday ahead of Sunday’s march organized by an alliance of four political parties.
The march was initially scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2023 but has been deferred by a day after the ruling party also organized an event at which President Félix Tshisekedi will feature on the same day.
Last month, Democratic Republic of Congo security forces fired tear gas and fought running battles in the streets of the capital Kinshasa with anti-government protesters demonstrating on over alleged irregularities in voter registration.
The protesters are also angry over the rising cost of living and the prolonged insecurity in the east of the country, where armed militias and rebel groups have been carrying out attacks that have killed hundreds and displaced over a million.
Around a dozen protesters were detained by security forces just after the start of the demonstration, which was called for by Katumbi and three others.
Four opposition leaders including Martin Fayulu, who won the election in 2018 but was dribbled into second in the 2018 presidential election, Katumbi, a millionaire businessman and former regional governor, parliamentarian Delly Sessanga and former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Mapon were part of the procession.
They are expected to join the procession on Sunday.
