The powerful Catholic Church said it supports calls for a nationwide stoppage in response to a bloody crackdown
Democratic Republic of Congo articles on Democracy Chronicles
News about the struggle for democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo is not a functioning democracy. According to Freedom House, the "2011 elections were marked by a lack of preparation, changes in the structure and function of the electoral commission, limited international logistical support, and inadequate accountability and follow-through on irregularities". Also see our section on World Democracy and our articles on Africa.
DR Congo protesters urge anti-government general strike
Civil opposition groups in Democratic Republic of Congo called for a general strike in protest at killing of activists
Questioning plans for DR Congo electronic voting scheme
DR Congo elections on December 23 that are expected to pave the way to the first peaceful transfer of power
DR Congo dictator announces plans to give up power
Spokesman says Kabila intends to respect the constitution and relinquish power after elections scheduled
From mediator to mobiliser: The Catholic Church in DR Congo
After having played a mediating role in DR Congo’s political crisis, the Catholic Church is now defying Kinshasa
DR Congo protesters killed in anti-dictatorship protests
At least five people have been killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo as authorities cracked down on banned protests
Democracy group says detained DR Congo activists tortured
A pro-democracy movement has called for the release of five of its activists detained in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying it fears they could be tortured. The activists from the Filimbi movement, whose name means “whistle” in Swahili, are accused of “insulting the head of state and inciting a revolt”, according to their lawyer, […]
Increased Repression of Peaceful Dissent Across Southern African
Southern African governments clamped down on vocal journalists, activists, and opposition politicians in 2017
DR Congo voting machines go high tech for long-delayed polls
DR Congo’s electoral body trumpeted on Tuesday the arrival of the first voting machines from South Korea for long-delayed elections that the government has pledged to hold in December. The vote is supposed to bring about the belated departure of President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, who was supposed to step down last year […]
Violent DR Congo crackdown on democracy protests in Kinshasa
The UN said it was “deeply alarmed” by the actions of security forces in DR Congo during anti-Kabila protests in Kinshasa last Sunday, and believe the toll of victims during the crackdown “may be higher”. “Our colleagues on the ground were denied access to morgues, hospitals and detention centres. They were sent away from some […]