The Democratic Republic of Congo has ordered an investigation into reports of violence, injuries and the alleged death of a protester during an anti-government demonstration in Kinshasa on September 15.
The country’s Justice Minister directed the Attorney General to launch a judicial inquiry into incidents recorded during the protest, which was organised by the opposition C64 movement.
The movement had called for nationwide demonstrations against a proposed constitutional amendment that could allow President Félix Tshisekedi, 63, to seek a third five-year term in office.
The protests were held in several parts of the country, but the demonstration in the capital, Kinshasa, quickly descended into violence after police moved to disperse protesters with tear gas.
Clashes reportedly broke out between hundreds of opposition supporters and groups backing the government. The opposition alleged that some pro-government supporters were armed with machetes.
The opposition also claimed that one of its supporters died during the protest.
According to local media reports on Tuesday, the Justice Minister instructed the Attorney General to investigate the allegations and establish what happened during the demonstration.
The inquiry will cover reports of violence, injuries, property destruction, alleged deaths and arrests linked to the protest.
The investigation comes amid heightened political tensions over the proposed constitutional changes and their potential implications for the country’s 2028 presidential election.
