DRC: Justice reform proposal causes clashes around Parliament

Text by: RFI Follow

Since Tuesday, UDPS activists have been demonstrating near the People's Palace, the seat of Parliament. Vehicles were stoned. In question, officially, three bills submitted by FCC deputies requesting that the prosecution be now submitted to the authority of the Minister of Justice.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi

The situation remains tense around the People's Palace, seat of the two chambers of Parliament. Disturbed traffic, gravely vehicles, burnt tires, traces and impacts of Molotov cocktails are still visible on the walls and on the floor.

A dozen protesters were arrested on Wednesday, among them adolescents and young girls. With the help of a second van, the police reinforced its device at midday, blocking all entrances to the People's Palace. And despite the tear gas and warning shots, the demonstrators dispersed, reorganized, returned before being charged again by the police.

FCC personalities targeted

FCC residences have also been targeted. One of the buildings belonging to Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, former presidential candidate and current permanent secretary of the PPRD, the party of Joseph Kabila, was thus attacked. 

A village hall located around the People's Palace and belonging to the wife of André Kimbuta, former governor of Kinshasa and PPRD official, was also targeted and property was taken away. Also in Lingwala commune, a building belonging to a relative, a former governor and now a parliamentarian was also looted.

Tense climate between Cach and FCC

It must be said that the climate is tense between the FCC platform of Joseph Kabila and the Cach coalition of Félix Tshisekedi. Two weeks before these events, Jean-Marc Kabund ,the first vice-president of the National Assembly was ousted. It belongs to the UDPS, therefore to Cach. The tension is likely to increase, because these decried bills are still at the level of the National Assembly and must pass to the level of the Senate.

►Read also: DRC: a justice reform proposal that targets the opposition

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