Violence erupts at anti-government protest in DR Congo
Violence has broken out in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa during demonstrations against government policies on natural-resource revenue sharing. Al Jazeera reports security forces used tear gas and water cannon, with multiple people injured and detained. Opposition party Engagement Citoyen, which leads the protests, is demanding constitutional reform from the government.
According to Al Jazeera, the protests began after the government announced a new revenue distribution decision that channels 60% of mining revenues to the central budget and only 40% to local communities. Kinshasa University Hospital said 23 wounded had been registered.
Opposition leader Martin Fayulu told Al Jazeera: "It is a constitutional right that income from the people's natural resources should translate into local development." Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya alleged the protests were "a destabilisation attempt supported by foreign powers".
Reuters reports that Glencore and CMOC, which mine copper and cobalt in Congo, have issued operational risk warnings. The UN Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) called on Congolese police to use "proportionate force". This is a regional development affecting critical-mineral supply chains. This is not investment advice.
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