Last Sunday’s peaceful marches in Democratic Republic of Congo, organised by the Catholic Church and calling for respect for the country’s constitution, prompted a crackdown by the military that left at least six people dead, around 50 people injured and dozens arrested.
Protesters were demanding that President Joseph Kabila - whose legitimate term of office expired more than a year ago - should step down.
Many protesters gathered after Mass to march through the streets, accompanied by members of the clergy, despite roadblocks on major routes. DR Congo's evangelical Christian churches lent their support to the marches, along with the country’s Muslim community.
One of those killed in Kinshasa was a 16-year-old girl at a church door, caught in gunfire from an armoured car passing the church. The Congolese authorities had banned the marches, with police warning that they would not tolerate "any attempt to disturb public order". The UN mission in the country said it deployed its troops onto the streets to observe and record any violence.
UN radio in Congo reported coalition parties criticised the Church for organising the protests, which they said were "against the interests of the DRC".
The Catholic Church makes up half the 67.5 million inhabitants of Congo and has pressed Kabila to step down since his second and final term expired more than a year ago.
A church-brokered accord in December 2016 allowed the president to stay in office, alongside an opposition head of government, pending elections by the end of 2017. However, in November, Congo's Electoral Commission said the ballot would be postponed until 23 December 2018.
Earlier in January, the Congolese bishops' conference condemned "violent and bloody repression" of similar protests Dec. 31, in which eight people were killed. The bishops also demanded action against those who "deliberately profaned churches and holy places."
Speaking during his visit to Lima, Peru, earlier this month, Pope Francis urged Congolese leaders to "do everything possible to prevent further violence and seek solutions to the common good". He led a minute's silence for victims.
This week the Association of Bishops' Conferences of Central Africa pledged solidarity with Catholic efforts "to achieve a state of law". Muslim and Protestant leaders backed the Catholic demonstrations in weekend statements and urged officials not to use force.
Picture: A priest runs as riot police fire tear gas canisters to disperse demonstrators during a protest organised by Catholic activists in Kinshasa, Congo (CNS photo/Kenny Katombe, Reuters).
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