Congo Security Forces Open Fire on Protesters in Eastern DR Congo

 

Congo Security Forces Open Fire on Protesters in Eastern DR Congo

What Happened

In Uvira, South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, unarmed protesters marched to deliver a petition demanding the removal of Gen. Olivier Gasita, whom they accused of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. During the protest, military forces opened fire, resulting in at least three confirmed deaths and five injuries, according to regional authorities—while witnesses report up to four killed and seven injured.
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Conflicting Accounts & Military Justification

• Civil society and Walazendo militia witnesses claim the general’s bodyguards fired when they perceived a threat during the petition delivery.

• Gen. Gasita denied the allegations and blamed protesters for being influenced by “Rwandan poison,” urging unity behind national institutions.

• Regional Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki expressed condolences and emphasized national unity, while refusing to identify who fired the shots.
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Broader Context

• The region remains deeply unstable, marked by complex conflicts involving the March 23 Movement (M23) and numerous armed groups, with shifting loyalties and foreign involvement complicating governance and security.

• The incident underscores the broader volatility in eastern DRC, where civilian protests and military responses often spiral into violence.
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