DR Congo Catholic leaders Plan March Against Kabila

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Roman Catholic leaders is planning a peaceful protest urging President Joseph Kabila to demit office.

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On Friday, the Comité Laïc de Coordination (CLC) or Committee of the Catholic Laity asked “Christians, believers and men and women of goodwill” to participate in the demonstrations.

Late last year, the National Episcopal Conference of Congo bishops attempted to convince Kabila to schedule a long-delayed election as well as to declare he would not seek a third term. The head of state has been in power for almost two decades.

The agreement brokered by the Catholic Church allowed Kabila to remain in office provided new elections were held in 2017. But, delays pushed elections to Dec. 23, 2018.

The church also has the support of the DR Congo's Muslim Community. "I ask the authorities to avoid repressing the march," Cheikh Ali Mwinyi M'Kuu, a legal representative of the Muslim community, told AFP. "If they decide to repress, there will be no peace. But if they let the march take place, they will respect the constitution and peace will prevail."

However, the Congolese authorities do not support the march and have dispatched heavy police presence in Kinshasa ahead of the protests. “The investigation opened after a previous march on December 31, 2017, has not yet concluded,” said vice governor of Kinshasa, justifying the decision to ban the protest.

Police put in place roadblocks on major routes into the capital and armed officers carried out searches on vehicles and identification checks.

The United Nation Mission in Congo pledges to send “observers” to report “possible human rights violations” during Sunday's march. “It is important that all parties be able to express themselves in a peaceful and calm manner in the current political transition period in order to foster a democratic debate in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” Maman Sidikou, the UN special representative, said.

Local media reported that some organizers were in hiding as they feared for their safety.

At least eight people died and dozens more injured on Dec. 31, when security forces used tear gas and live ammunition against protesters.