Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Uvira in eastern DR Congo on Tuesday to protest against former President Joseph Kabila’s new FRN movement, rally behind President Felix Tshisekedi and demand an end to the conflict.
Footage shows crowds waving political party flags and carrying banners reading “No to war, yes to dialogue”, as police and soldiers accompany the march.
“We support this march to say no to Kabila’s lies. He ruled the country for 18 years and did nothing, yet now he is deceiving people by claiming he wants to rebuild the nation. But we, the citizens, say no,” said protester Amani Kasali.
“What he wants to bring us is a form of colonisation, and we do not want him,” he added.
Civil society activist Mariamu Mufariji also rejected the FRN and called for international action to end the conflict.
“As for this new movement, the FRN, we do not want it. We do not want it. We do not know what Kabila failed to accomplish during his 18 years in power that would justify his return to continue the bloodshed of the Congolese people,” she said.
“We are seeing our children and husbands die. We women are always the ones who suffer the most in this war. When a man goes to war and does not return, his wife becomes a widow,” she added.
The FRN was announced in October 2026 under former President Joseph Kabila, bringing together figures from AFC/M23 and other groups opposed to President Felix Tshisekedi.
Fighting continues in eastern DRC despite diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 group, an allegation Kigali denies.
Source: Viory
