[REVISION HISTORY]

DRC referendum dispute and legal action against officials

22 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-27 11:11 UTC → 2026-10-02 21:03 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following the violent clashes during the 15 September 2026 opposition marches, political tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo have intensified. On 18 September, the ruling UDPS party characterized the C64 protests as a “total failure,” claiming minimal participation and asserting that the opposition relies on “social media manipulation.” In response, the UDPS held nationwide marches on 22 September, including in Kinshasa, Matadi, and Lubumbashi, to support the presidential national dialogue and the referendum law. The C64 coalition has rejected all constitutional amendments and accused authorities of selective enforcement. They noted that while pro-government marches proceeded in Kinshasa on 22 September, police prohibited planned opposition marches in Haut-Katanga cities such as Lubumbashi, Likasi, and Kasumbalesa, citing public order risks. The C64 further reported that member Manassé Lomboto Bomengola died following injuries sustained during the 15 September clashes in Kinshasa, though official confirmation is pending. On 25 September, the C64 filed a collective legal complaint with the Auditor General at the High Military Court in Kinshasa. The complaint targets several high-ranking officials, including Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani and Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba Lubaki, alongside security officials. The legal action cites 22 grievances, including “voluntary homicide, attempted murder, torture, arbitrary arrests, and the use of illegal weapons,” alleging that protesters were attacked in the Limete district by individuals linked to the ‘Force du Progrès’ using machetes, stones, and iron bars. ~~Amidst this friction, President Félix Tshisekedi met~~ On 1 October, legal pressure shifted toward opposition leadership. Clément Tshietshiam Muntu’abu filed a complaint with ~~Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot~~ the prosecutor general in Kinshasa against prominent opposition figures, including Martin Fayulu, Delly Sesanga, Jean-Marc Kabund, Moïse Katumbi, and Matata Ponyo. The complaint alleges attempts to ~~discuss bilateral relations. While Belgium expressed support for~~ overthrow the ~~national dialogue, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege argued that current security tensions make conditions unsuitable for an inclusive dialogue.~~ constitutional regime and violations of the Constitution related to the 15 September march.

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