• According to an official notice released on social media, the Struggle for Change (Lucha) civil society organization is slated to hold a protest outside the National Assembly, also known as the Palais du Peuple, at 11:00 (local time) on August 12.
• The protest is being organized to denounce the perceived politicization of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and demand an inclusive electoral process.

1. The slated protest comes after a similar Lucha-organized demonstration on August 5 and highlights continued tensions regarding CENI appointments, which the opposition and civil society groups claim is politicized and intended to increase President Felix Tshisekedi’s influence over electoral processes. This protest is likely being held to pressure the government to adhere to their demands of an inclusive and transparent electoral process.
2. FORECAST: The salience of the protest issue, combined with Lucha’s known mobilization capabilities, suggests that the protest is likely to record significant participation ranging in the low-to-mid hundreds. Given the anti-government nature of the protest and the sensitive nature of the protest venue, a bolstered security force presence can be expected in the vicinity of the National Assembly. Security forces may erect roadblocks and checkpoints to prevent protesters from gathering and are also liable to use forcible measures of dispersal, including tear gas, batons, and arbitrary arrests against the protesters. Traffic disruptions can be expected in the vicinity of the Palais du Peuple during the late morning hours.

Those operating or residing in Kinshasa on August 12 are advised to avoid nonessential travel to the vicinity of the National Assembly due to the slated protest and associated risk of unrest.