Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Goma and Bukavu in eastern Congo on Tuesday, voicing their opposition to proposed changes to the country’s constitution that critics say could open the door for President Felix Tshisekedi to remain in power for a third term.
Both cities have been under the control of AFC/M23 rebel forces since the group swept through North and South Kivu provinces last year.
The controversy stems from a bill passed by Congo’s parliament in June that would allow proposed constitutional changes to go before a public referendum. Opponents argue the move is designed to clear a path for Tshisekedi to seek another term in office.
The unrest is not new — similar protests broke out in the capital city of Kinshasa on June 12, led by opposition groups, before security forces moved in to disperse the crowds.
In Goma and Bukavu, demonstrators held up signs with messages including “No to constitutional change” and “No to a referendum and a third term,” according to two Reuters witnesses on the ground.
Protesters also directed their frustration at the United Nations, calling for the lifting of sanctions that were imposed this month against AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa and the rebel organization.
The rallies took place with police present and watching, the witnesses reported — even though a ban on public gatherings had been put in place to help contain an Ebola outbreak in the region. Rebel leaders had declared the territories under their control to be free of Ebola last month.
Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya took to social media platform X to allege that rebel forces had pressured local residents into joining the demonstrations. A spokesperson for AFC/M23 had not responded to a request for comment at the time of reporting.
