Violence erupts ahead of planned anti-Kabila demonstration in DRC

Gunshots and tear gas were reportedly fired by the police as clashes erupted on Monday in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of a planned opposition demonstration against President Joseph Kabila.

According to journalists on the ground, dozens of protesters had a standoff with riot police in Ngaba and Yolo after they threw stones at them. This prompted a reaction from the armed men.

AFP reports that property was damaged including a minibus and a car which were burned in Limete early Monday morning before the planned demonstration.

Posters of the president in Limete were also burned and burning tires were used as barricades on the Lumumba Boulevard, main road to the city centre, allowing only journalists to pass, AFP added.

#DRC #Kinshasa Anti Kabila protest – burning barricades on Lumumba Boulevard

— Evelyn Tremble (@DrumChronicles) September 19, 2016

The demonstrations are also being held in other parts of the country including Goma in the eastern part of the country.

Anti-Kabila protest, Goma, DRC. pic.twitter.com/T2QzXevZYO

— Sean Lee (@humanprovince) September 19, 2016

The main opposition parties in the country led by Etienne Tshisekedi of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), organised the demonstration for Kabila to step down at the end of his term on December 20.

The demonstration which was supposed to start at 13:00 (12:00 GMT) is also to press for an election in November.