Police dispersed the crowds with tear gas as opposition and pro-government activists clashed.
Rival political groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo clashed during a rally against a proposed law that could see President Felix Tshisekedi stay in power beyond his two-term limit.
The demonstration outside parliament in the capital Kinshasa on Friday, organised by the opposition coalition C64, was broken up by police firing tear gas after fighting involving pro-government activists, reported AFP.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 items list 1 of 3 DR Congo arrive in the US for the World Cup after Ebola quarantine
list 2 of 3 Alarm as Ebola spreads into new areas of DR Congo
list 3 of 3 One killed as hundreds protest in Kenya against US Ebola quarantine centre
end of list Among those injured was prominent opposition leader Martin Fayulu, with video showing him with blood around his eyes and shirt as supporters came to his aid. Fellow opposition figure Prince Epenge was also slightly injured, reported AFP.
The confrontation comes as the DRC faces multiple crises, including the latest Ebola outbreak and an escalation of the decades-long conflict with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels .
An apparent bid by Tshisekedi to stay in office longer has generated further unrest. His second five-year term as president is due to end in 2028.
The 62-year-old president recently declared that he would agree to lead the conflict-plagued country for a third term “if the people wish it” after a referendum on reforming the constitution.
While the DRC’s constitution bars any revision of presidential term limits, a bill under consideration in the National Assembly would allow the president to amend those provisions in the event of a “major dysfunction” that paralyses state institutions, potentially following a referendum.
The main opposition parties, which have been divided in recent years, joined forces in May under the C64 banner to oppose what they describe as an attempt by Tshisekedi to remain in power.
The coalition has called the proposed changes a “serious threat” to the country’s stability.
Read the full article at Al Jazeera English →3 reports
Al Jazeera EnglishState / PublicCenter6 days agoClashes occurred between police and mourners during the funeral of a suspected Ebola victim in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Police used tear gas to prevent the crowd from taking the coffin, while healthcare workers attempted to remove the body.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an event without overtly favoring any side, providing a neutral account of the incident with no apparent ideological framing or biased language.
Al Jazeera EnglishState / PublicCenter9 days ago Clashes break out at DRC rally against presidential term-limit changeClashes occurred during a rally in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) opposing a proposed change to the presidential term limits. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, which included both opposition and pro-government activists.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral description of events without apparent ideological framing. It reports on a specific incident involving clashes between opposing groups without taking a stance or using biased language.
Al Jazeera EnglishState / PublicCenter11 days ago Deadly protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir: What’s going on?At least 11 people were killed on Sunday in clashes between police and protesters in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The article reports the incident with minimal context about the underlying causes of the protests.
Bias read (Center): The reporting presents a straightforward factual account using neutral language with no loaded terminology, editorializing, or apparent editorial stance favoring either protesters or authorities.
Qatar