République démocratique du Congo
Human Rights Watch has condemned Congolese security forces for employing excessive force against demonstrators who gathered in Kinshasa on June 12, 2026. The protests were aimed at a proposed legislative amendment that could potentially extend President Félix Tshisekedi’s term in office.
According to the human rights organization, police units deployed tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds. Furthermore, the authorities allegedly failed to intervene as members of the Force du Progrès, a group reportedly affiliated with the ruling Union pour la Démocratie et le Progrès Social (UDPS) party, carried out attacks. Verified video footage corroborates accounts of confrontations, damage to opposition party headquarters, and assaults on the ECiDé party’s office, where some demonstrators had sought refuge.
Human Rights Watch documented injuries to over a dozen individuals, including several prominent opposition figures, and reported the arrest of scores of protesters. The organization also stated that some individuals identified as Force du Progrès members admitted to being mobilized by UDPS officials to obstruct the demonstration, an accusation the ruling party has since denied.
Congolese authorities have initiated an investigation into the violent incidents. The UDPS, for its part, maintains that those responsible for the attacks were impersonating members of the Force du Progrès. Human Rights Watch is urging for a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation to ensure that all those accountable for the violence are brought to justice.
