In a statement issued on 19 September 2016, the Secretary-General, Ban-Ki Moon expressed his deep concern about the violent clashes between protestors and security forces in Kinshasa, and several other locations in the DRC.
He condemned the violence that led to the death of at least 17 people, including three police officers in the capital, urging “all concerned political leaders and their supporters to refrain from any further violence that could exacerbate the situation”.
Regarding the use of disproportionate force against unarmed demonstrators, the Secretary-General called on the Congolese authorities “to ensure that the national security forces exercise maximum restraint in their response to protests”. He also called on all political leaders to address their differences peacefully and through dialogue, in line with Security Council resolution 2277.
His Special Representative to the DRC, Maman Sidikou, echoed Ban-Ki Moon sentiments saying “I call on the Congolese authorities to ensure that national security forces respect fundamental freedoms, and for the use of non-lethal force in crowd control in their response to protests”.
He also urged all concerned political leaders and their supporters to desist from undertaking any further acts that could continue to exacerbate the situation and heighten tensions”.
MONUSCO, the UN Peacekeeping Mission to the DRC, is monitoring the situation in Kinshasa and across DRC and has a mandate to monitor and report on Human right Violation and violence committed by all parties, including non-State actors.