CENCO condemns police-force du progrès collaboration in suppressing opposition protests
The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as the coordinated repression of opposition protests by the national police in collaboration with members of the Force du progrès, a political group tied to the ruling party.
Violent crackdown on opposition demonstrations
During a press briefing following its extraordinary session in Kinshasa on June 20, CENCO’s executive secretary, Monsignor Donatien Nshole, revealed that opposition demonstrations have been met with excessive force. He specifically pointed to the involvement of the Force du progrès, a youth wing affiliated with the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), in suppressing dissent.
“The police have been violently repressing opposition protests in collaboration with a political party’s militia known as Force du progrès,” stated Monsignor Nshole. He emphasized that this alliance has created a climate of fear and intimidation, particularly within the ruling majority itself.
Internal dissent muffled within the ruling party
CENCO also expressed alarm over the silencing of voices within the ruling coalition that oppose the constitutional amendment push. According to the bishops, members of the majority who criticize the initiative face severe pressure to remain silent, with threats of retaliation looming over them.
“We are witnessing a dangerous escalation as the campaign for constitutional change mobilizes state resources in an atmosphere of terror against dissenting voices within the ruling majority,” read part of CENCO’s statement.
Recent protests and escalating tensions
The bishops’ remarks follow the violent dispersal of a sit-in organized by the Coalition C64 on June 12 in Kinshasa. The protest aimed to block a referendum bill proposed by National Deputy Paul-Gaspard Ngondakoy, which had already been approved by the National Assembly. Multiple human rights organizations, both local and international, accused the police and the Force du progrès of attacking opposition leaders and protesters using tear gas near the Palais du Peuple.
CENCO’s condemnation underscores growing concerns over the erosion of democratic norms and the increasing militarization of political discourse in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
