The UDPS/Tshisekedi party organized marches in several cities across the Democratic Republic of the Congo on September 21, in support of the country's leader. In Kinshasa, the march began at the 11th Rue in the Limete commune, led by the party's Secretary General, Augustin Kabuya. A significant security presence was deployed along the route, with police visible near the PPRD party headquarters, the party of former President Joseph Kabila.
The marches were not limited to Kinshasa, as several provinces also saw mobilizations. In Matadi, in the Kongo-Central province, marchers started at the Mvuadu square and headed towards the provincial assembly. In Lubumbashi, in the Haut-Katanga province, militants from various communes gathered at the Post office square. Similar marches took place in Kananga, Kindu, Gungu, and Mbuji-Mayi, with participants reportedly following a predetermined route and reading memoranda to the authorities.
In Kananga, the march began at the Notre-Dame roundabout and ended at the provincial governor's office, where a memorandum was read and handed over to the authorities. In Kindu, two separate routes were taken before memoranda were read at the governor's office and the provincial assembly. The marches in these cities were reportedly peaceful and took place under the supervision of law enforcement.
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the marches, two cities, Kisangani and Gemena, canceled their events due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. In Kisangani, the UDPS/Tshisekedi party cited public health concerns and announced the cancellation of the march in a statement released on September 21. The Tshopo province, where Kisangani is located, has been affected by the Ebola epidemic, with 28 confirmed cases reported as of September 13.
A similar situation was reported in Gemena, in the Sud-Ubangi province, where local UDPS officials announced the cancellation of the march following the declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the province. However, they stated that a political meeting would be organized instead. The Ebola outbreak has been a significant concern in the region, with several provinces affected and a growing number of cases reported.
The UDPS/Tshisekedi party's marches were held in support of the country's leader, with participants demonstrating their backing for the government's policies. The party's efforts to mobilize support across the country were evident in the large turnouts seen in several cities. However, the cancellation of the marches in Kisangani and Gemena highlights the challenges posed by the ongoing health crisis.
The marches and mobilizations took place without any major incidents reported, with law enforcement present to maintain order. The events demonstrate the continued engagement of the UDPS/Tshisekedi party in promoting its agenda and supporting the government's initiatives. The situation in Kisangani and Gemena, however, underscores the need for caution and consideration of public health concerns in the organization of such events.
Key points
- The UDPS/Tshisekedi party organized marches in several DR Congo cities on September 21, with the exception of Kisangani and Gemena, which canceled theirs due to the Ebola outbreak.
