Thousands protest in eastern Congo over any presidential third term

Thousands of people rallied in the eastern Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu on Tuesday ​to protest against proposed constitutional changes that could ‌pave the way for President Felix Tshisekedi to run for a third term.

Goma and Bukavu have been under the control of ​AFC/M23 rebels since the group's rapid advance ​across North and South Kivu provinces last year.

Congo's Parliament in June approved a bill that would allow ​constitutional changes to be submitted to a referendum, a ​move that critics say could pave the way for Tshisekedi to seek a third term.

Proposed constitutional reforms triggered opposition-led protests in the ​capital Kinshasa on June 12 that were dispersed by ​security forces.

Demonstrators carried banners reading "No to constitutional change" and "No to a ‌referendum ⁠and a third term", according to two Reuters witnesses.

Protesters also called for the UN to lift sanctions imposed this month on AFC/M23 leader Corneille Nangaa and the group.

Congolese ​government spokesperson ​Patrick Muyaya accused ⁠the rebels of forcing residents to join the demonstrations in a post on ​X. An AFC/M23 spokesperson did not immediately ​respond to ⁠a request for comment.

The demonstrations took place under police supervision, the witnesses said, despite a ban on gatherings introduced ⁠to ​curb the spread of Ebola.

Rebel leaders ​declared territories under their control Ebola-free last month.

-Reuters