The protest is the latest sign of growing tension in Democratic Republic of Congo before presidential and parliamentary polls in November, the second set of elections since the last war ended in 2003. Analysts say the votes could be hit by delays and a lack of confidence in the process.
The demonstration had been authorised by the city authorities but police intervened when protesters disrupted traffic and became violent, according Congo’s chief of police, General Charles Bisengimana.
“One policemen was injured. They ransacked several cars and pillaged some shops, that’s why the police used (tear gas) grenades to disperse them,” Bisengimana told Reuters.
A Reuters reporter said about three hundred supporters of leading opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi, carrying banners and palm fronds, tried to reach the offices of the electoral commission in the centre of Kinshasa.
The city’s main boulevard was briefly blocked and protesters were dispersed by hundreds of armed police who fired tear gas before calm was restored, the reporter said.
Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, the secretary general of Tshisekedi’s UDPS party, said police had fired live rounds and there had been casualties. A Reuters reporter heard some gunfire but injuries could not be confirmed.
Bisengimana could not confirm if any protesters were hurt.