Political parties and campaign groups in DR Congo have vowed to carry out a wave of protests over the proposed head of the country’s election panel.
Anger has been triggered by plans to name a figure accused by the opposition of helping former president Joseph Kabila to rig past elections.
An opposition coalition called Lamuka on Tuesday called for nationwide demonstrations for July 13, with “strict observance” of coronavirus precautions.
This will be preceded on Thursday by a march in the capital Kinshasa, which President Felix Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Progress (UDPS) announced earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the Lay Coordination Committee (CLC), which is close to the powerful Catholic church, has called for a “great peaceful protest march” in major cities on July 19, along with other grassroots groups.
But he did so after elections roiled by accusations that the results were rigged to deny Tshisekedi’s rival, Martin Fayulu, of victory.
Tshisekedi has to govern in coalition with supporters of his predecessor Kabila, who have a huge majority in parliament.
Kabila stepped down after 18 years in power and still wields influence behind the scenes.
The coalition was rocked last month over judicial reforms put forward by Kabila allies that would define the powers of judges — a move that critics say is a ploy to muzzle the judiciary.
The country has declared a “state of emergency” to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The measures, which were extended for an additional 15 days on Monday, include a ban on gatherings of more than 20 people.
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