Kinshasa protesters march against cyberbullying of First Lady

cyberbullying gender-based violence Kinshasa social media regulation Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi

Thousands of demonstrators marched in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to protest cyberbullying and online harassment targeting First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi and other Congolese women.

Organized by the non-profit Telema Muana Mapinga (TMM) and led by Christella Kiakuba, the marchers visited the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication (CSAC) to submit a memorandum regarding gender-based digital violence. In response, CSAC President Christian Bosembe suggested that the closure of TikTok could be considered due to platform abuses, noting that other social networks might face similar measures.

The procession continued to the Palace of Justice, where participants requested legal action against cybercriminals accused of attacking the dignity of the First Lady and other public figures. The march concluded at the Lona Foundation with an official declaration of support for Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi.