00:00The Article 64 coalition protest in Kinshasa ended in clashes with the opposition
00:05accusing the security forces of excessive force, a claim denied by authorities.
00:10Political analyst Christian Moleka says the demonstration signals growing opposition movement
00:15and increases pressure on the government amid ongoing tensions over proposed constitutional reforms.
00:23At one point, Kinshasa underestimated the opposition.
00:26The government largely prioritized dealing with the aggression in the East,
00:30believing there was no internal force capable of challenging its agenda.
00:35I think they are now reassessing their strategy.
00:39As long as the opposition continues to gain momentum and build a strong internal bloc,
00:43it will push Kinshasa to reconsider its approach,
00:47which was initially based on the assumption that the opposition was divided,
00:51fragile and unable to effectively resist the government's plans.
00:56Martin Fayulu has emerged as a leading voice against constitutional reform,
01:00while analysts say the government is seeking to link the opposition leader
01:04to former President Joseph Kabila's camp.
01:07In the government's narrative today, there is an attempt to establish links
01:12between Martin Fayulu and the Kabila camp, particularly financial ties.
01:16If such a theory were to be substantiated and proven,
01:19it could be used to justify portraying him like others,
01:22as being connected to the aggression and rebellion.
01:25The narrative also seeks to present the movement in Kinshasa
01:28as an extension of instability in the East brought into the capital.
01:34Just three days before the sit-in,
01:36the National Assembly overwhelmingly passed the referendum bill,
01:39marking another major step towards constitutional reform
01:43that could potentially open the door to a third term for President Felix Tshikedi.
01:48The bill is now under review in the Senate.
01:51The bill is now under review in the Senate.
Comments