December 2016 Congolese protests

On 20 December 2016 the Democratic Republic of the Congo's president, Joseph Kabila, announced that he would not leave office despite the end of his constitutional term. Protests subsequently broke out across the country, which had never had a peaceful transfer of power since it gained independence in 1960. The protests were met with the government's blocking of social media, and violence from security forces which left dozens dead. Foreign governments condemned the attacks against protesters.

December 2016 Congolese protests
Streets of Kinshasa during the protests
Date14–23 December 2016
Location
Boma, Goma, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Matadi Pretoria, Brussels
Caused by
  • President Joseph Kabila refuses to leave power following completion of his term in office.
Goals
  • Discontinuation of the president's term
  • Resignation of Joseph Kabila
Methods
  • Protests
  • Demonstrations
Resulted in
  • Main opposition and Kabila regime agree to a deal. Kabila will not alter the constitution and will leave office before the end of 2017.
Parties

Opposition:

  • Civilian protesters
  • Opposition parties

Government:
Lead figures

Non-centralized leadership

Joseph Kabila
(President of Congo)
Nzanga Mobutu
Antoine Gizenga
Pierre Syakasighe
André-Philippe Futa
Olivier Kamitatu Etsu

Casualties
Death(s)
  • 40
Injuriesdozens
Detained460

On 23 December an agreement was proposed between the main opposition group and the Kabila led-government under which the latter agreed not to alter the constitution and to leave office before the end of 2017. Under the agreement opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi will oversee that the deal is implemented and the country's Prime Minister will be appointed by the opposition.

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