The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) concluded its extraordinary session in Kinshasa this Saturday, June 20, by strongly condemning the joint actions of the national police and the ‘Force du progrès’ militia. These entities were identified as being responsible for the violent suppression of opposition demonstrations, which are vocally protesting a proposed constitutional amendment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC).

CENCO expressed its dismay, stating that “opposition demonstrations are brutally suppressed by the national police in collaboration with a political party militia known as ‘Force du progrès’.”

Addressing the press, Monseigneur Donatien Nshole, the executive secretary of the Catholic prelates’ organization, also noted with concern the silencing of dissenting voices within the ruling majority itself, particularly those who oppose the initiative to reform the fundamental law.

In its official declaration, CENCO highlighted: “During this period, we observe with significant apprehension a rising tension stemming from the ruling Majority’s campaign to change the Constitution of February 18, 2006. Regrettably, this campaign, which leverages state resources, fosters an atmosphere of intimidation against critical voices even within the Majority, who are compelled to remain silent due to fear of repercussions.”

This denunciation follows the forceful repression of the C64 Coalition’s sit-in on Friday, June 12. This protest was organized to challenge a referendum bill put forth by national deputy Paul-Gaspard Ngondakoy, which had received approval from the National Assembly. Following the incident near the People’s Palace in Kinshasa, where the demonstration was dispersed with tear gas, numerous national and international human rights organizations accused the police and ‘Force du progrès’—a youth group affiliated with the UDPS—of assaulting opposition leaders and demonstrators.