CENCO accuses police and pro-government militia of violent crackdown on opposition protests

Kinshasa — The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has strongly condemned what it describes as a coordinated crackdown by state security forces and a pro-government youth militia on opposition-led protests against proposed constitutional changes.

In a sharply worded statement released following an emergency session in Kinshasa on Saturday, June 20, CENCO’s executive secretary, Monseigneur Donatien Nshole, accused the Police Nationale Congolaise and the Force du Progrès—a youth wing affiliated with the ruling party—of using excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations.

The Catholic Church’s official statement highlighted what it termed “a dangerous escalation of state-sponsored violence” targeting dissenting voices, including within the ruling coalition itself.

Use of lethal tactics against peaceful demonstrators

The denunciation follows a violent crackdown on a June 12 opposition sit-in organized by the Coalition C64 in front of the Palais du Peuple. Witnesses and human rights observers reported that police, supported by members of the Force du Progrès, fired tear gas and dispersed the crowd, injuring several participants.

CENCO condemned the repression as “a direct violation of constitutional freedoms and the right to peaceful assembly”, warning that such actions undermine national cohesion and risk plunging the country into deeper instability.

Silencing voices within the ruling coalition

Beyond the street-level violence, the Church expressed alarm at reports of intimidation and threats against members of the ruling majority who oppose the constitutional reform initiative. According to CENCO, several parliamentarians and party officials have been pressured into silence to prevent internal dissent from gaining public traction.

“We are witnessing an organized campaign by state institutions to suppress all forms of opposition—whether in the streets or within the corridors of power,” stated Monseigneur Nshole during the press briefing.

Call for dialogue and peaceful resolution

CENCO reiterated its call for all political actors to return to dialogue, emphasizing the need to “transition from a culture of power to a culture of negotiation” in addressing the constitutional crisis. The Church urged President Félix Tshisekedi to uphold the oath he made before God and the nation, warning that any unilateral move to alter the constitution could “rupture the republican pact” and trigger further unrest.

The Episcopal Conference also reserved the right to announce a structured program of actions to defend democratic principles and protect citizens’ rights, signaling a possible escalation in civil society mobilization.

Category: Politics | Published: Saturday, June 20, 2026 – 14:12