DR Congo bans activities of 13 political parties linked to Joseph Kabila as opposition cries repression

The DRC's government has banned the activities of 13 political parties, including the PPRD, a former president, Joseph Kabila. Announced by Interior Minister Jacques Masha Banny on Thursday, the move has been welcomed by the ruling UDPS party. We welcome this decision because it is a matter of responsibility. The Interior Minister is responsible for the security of Congolese citizens. In that capacity, it must make the necessary decisions to protect them. The ban also targets three parties linked to Kabila. It follows the creation of the FRN, a politico-military movement led by the former president Ngoma. The opposition has condemned the move. We are fighting against constitutional changes and the tyranny taking a hold across the country. We cannot stand by and do nothing. In our view, lawmakers have been bribed and can no longer speak freely. The aim is to silence the opposition, one of the few remaining channels for public expression. The Interior Ministry's decision does not specify the reasons for the ban or how long it will last, nor does it dissolve the parties. For one political analyst, the move raises questions about its legality, political pluralism and the risk of fuelling public frustration. The decision risks creating frustration among Congolese members of these parties who may not be involved in the actions attributed to their leaders. The consequences on the ground may be different from what we anticipate today. Banning political parties suggests authorities may fear demonstrations, even though the DRC is a democracy. Since the announcement of Kabila's FRN movement and the ban on PPRD activities, Several figures have distanced themselves from the former ruling party, exposing growing internal divisions.