(Kinshasa) – The authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo are increasingly harassing and arbitrarily detaining journalists, activists, and political opposition members, Human Rights Watch said today.
The clampdown on critical voices has occurred amid the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group’s occupation in eastern Congo and political tensions surrounding a potential constitutional amendment throu...
The strongest version of this narrative highlights a clear pattern of state repression in Congo, where authorities are systematically targeting dissent amid political and military crises. The government’s actions—arbitrary detentions, violent dispersal of protests, and accusations of collusion with rebel groups—fit a recognizable playbook of authoritarian consolidation. The timing is critical: as Tshisekedi floats constitutional changes to extend his rule, the crackdown serves to silence opposit...