This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
Published on July 22, 2019, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was on high alert as authorities banned all political rallies for the week.
The move came after the youth wing of President Felix Tshisekedi's Democracy and Social Progress party (UDPS) announced plans to hold a protest against the candidacy of a former justice minister for the senate presidency.
The pro-Kabila Red Berets movement, however, vowed to hold a counter-march in support of Alexis Thambwe, a hardliner from the previous regime.
General Sylvano Kasongo, Kinshasa's police chief, warned that anyone attempting to march or disturb public order would face police action.
"He instructed the police to take all appropriate measures. Anyone who attempts to march or disturb the public order this week will find the police in their way," he said.
The UDPS youth wing spokesman, Fils Mukoko, expressed frustration over the dominance of Kabila's supporters in key institutions and government positions.
