The political climate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to deteriorate, with President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration facing accusations from opposition groups of authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and using security forces to silence critical voices.
This follows a protest organized by a coalition of opposition parties in Kinshasa on June 12, 2026, which was marred by violence and clashes, sparking sharp disagreements between the government and the opposition.
Opposition parties accuse the group known as Force du Progrès, which is affiliated with the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), of working alongside security forces to disperse demonstrators and carry out acts of violence against them.
In response to these allegations, the UDPS filed a complaint with the Prosecutor General attached to the Court of Cassation, requesting an investigation into individuals allegedly posing as members of Force du Progrès to commit acts of violence, vandalize public infrastructure, and undermine public security.
UDPS lawyers say the complaint is intended to protect the group’s reputation and identify individuals who may be exploiting the name of Force du Progrès for personal gain or to carry out criminal activities.
The ruling party maintains that Force du Progrès is solely responsible for mobilizing citizens for political activities and denies that the group played any role in the violence that occurred on June 12, 2026.
On the other hand, opposition parties continue to insist that they have evidence showing that individuals using the name Force du Progrès were seen working alongside security forces to disperse protesters. They are calling for an independent investigation to establish the truth about what happened and identify those responsible.
The Lamuka coalition, led by Martin Fayulu, said it is gathering evidence to submit to international bodies, including human rights organizations and other competent institutions. The coalition says it aims to seek accountability for those suspected of involvement in the alleged abuses. Some of its leaders have also warned that the government in Kinshasa could face international sanctions if the allegations are proven to be well-founded.
However, Augustin Kabuya, the Secretary-General of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), has rejected all of the allegations, describing them as a campaign aimed at discrediting his party and fueling political tensions in the country.
As the dispute continues, major opposition parties have already notified the Governor of Kinshasa of plans to hold another protest on July 8, 2026, outside the Palais de la Nation, the country’s presidential offices.
The planned demonstration has been organized by prominent opposition leaders, including Martin Fayulu of ECiDé, Jean-Marc Kabund of Alliance pour le Changement, Moïse Katumbi of Ensemble pour la République, Augustin Matata Ponyo of LGD, and Delly Sesanga of ENVOL.
In a letter addressed to Daniel Bumba, the organizers said the protest will begin at 9:00 a.m., with participants gathering from all districts of Kinshasa before marching to the Palais de la Nation.
The organizers of the protest say their objective is to demand respect for the Constitution, uphold the rule of law, and denounce what they describe as the erosion of democratic principles and citizens’ rights. They also plan to present a memorandum to President Félix Tshisekedi outlining the reforms and corrective measures they are calling for.
These developments come at a time when the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing heightened political tensions, with relations between the government and the opposition continuing to deteriorate. Political analysts warn that unless meaningful political dialogue is initiated and democratic freedoms are respected, the country could face an even deeper political crisis in the months ahead.
