Head of MONUSCO Martin Kobler deplores the loss of life occurred during demonstrations in Kinshasa

Kinshasa, 20 January 2015 – “I deplore the dead and the injured following the clashes that occurred yesterday morning as a result of violent demonstrations and the ensuing use of lethal force by the security forces. The use of force by law enforcement officers must always be necessary, proportionate, and a measure of last resort,” emphasized Martin Kobler.

In some districts of the capital city, shops were looted and buses torched. “I also appeal to the opposition to demonstrate peacefully. Protests must be calm and carried out in compliance with the law,” concluded the chief of MONUSCO.

Head of MONUSCO Martin Kobler deplores the loss of life occurred during demonstrations in Kinshasa

Kinshasa, 20 January 2015 – “I deplore the dead and the injured following the clashes that occurred yesterday morning as a result of violent demonstrations and the ensuing use of lethal force by the security forces. The use of force by law enforcement officers must always be necessary, proportionate, and a measure of last resort,” emphasized Martin Kobler.

In some districts of the capital city, shops were looted and buses torched. “I also appeal to the opposition to demonstrate peacefully. Protests must be calm and carried out in compliance with the law,” concluded the chief of MONUSCO.

Notes to the editors:

Following the opposition’s call for protests against the revision of the electoral law voted by the National Assembly on Saturday evening, demonstrations in front of the “Palais du Peuple” were violently cracked down by the security forces with tear gas and live ammunition.

Clashes with law enforcement officers took place in Lemba, Matete, Ngaba and Victoire, neighborhoods surrounding the “Palais du Peuple” in Kinshasa.

Preliminary reports put the estimated toll at several dead and injured among both the demonstrators and the law enforcement officers.

Protests also took place yesterday morning in Goma, in North Kivu province and Bukavu, in South Kivu province.