POLICE in Congo fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of people demonstrating against constitutional changes they said could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term in office.

The opposition coalition C64 organised demonstrations on Tuesday in the capital, Kinshasa, and several other cities, including Lubumbashi and Kindu in eastern Congo, despite restrictions on mass gatherings due to the fast-spreading Ebola outbreak.

The protest in Kinshasa drew hundreds of people and began peacefully, but was dispersed by police with tear gas and warning shots after protesters clashed with pro-government supporters.

“The Congolese state is working with a political party militia,” said opposition leader Martin Fayulu. “God is great; I made it out alive. There was a massacre, and the police were firing at us.”

Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya condemned the opposition for disrupting activities by falsely claiming schools would be closed on Tuesday. 

“The right to protest is recognised in the constitution, but it must be exercised properly,” he said.

Police also dispersed a June rally in Kinshasa that C64 organised against the constitutional changes. Several people, including Mr Fayulu, were injured.

Congo is plagued by multiple crises, including an Ebola outbreak and an escalation of the decades-long conflict with the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, one of more than 100 armed groups vying for control in the eastern provinces.

President Tshisekedi has been in office since 2019 and is due to complete his second five-year term in 2028. He has said he would be willing to seek a third term if approved by voters in a referendum.

The Congolese constitution bars any revision of presidential term limits. 

However, a Bill under consideration in the National Assembly, the lower chamber, would allow the president to amend those provisions in the event of a “major dysfunction” that paralyses state institutions, potentially following a referendum.