Hundreds of residents took to the streets of Uvira, South Kivu, on Monday to demand the removal of General Olivier Gasita Mukunda, recently appointed deputy commander of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 33rd military region.
The demonstrations, organized by civil society groups, accused General Gasita of collaborating with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels during the fall of Bukavu earlier this year.
Protesters carried banners, national flags, and placards while chanting slogans rejecting his appointment.
“He has a very bad track record in Bukavu and does not have the trust of the people,” said protester Dunia Prince, explaining why residents are calling for Gasita’s dismissal.
At the end of the march, demonstrators submitted a memorandum to local authorities addressed to President Félix Tshisekedi.
Civil society leaders warned that Gasita’s deployment could signal plans to “hand over the city to the rebels.” Uvira is currently under joint control of the Congolese army (FARDC) and Wazalendo militias.
The protest remained largely peaceful under the watch of police and army personnel, until security forces fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, sparking panic.
Civil society groups reported at least four deaths and several injuries, though authorities have not confirmed the figures.
The FARDC had earlier urged calm, dismissing claims against Gasita as attempts by “enemies of peace” to stir unrest, and reiterated its support for the embattled officer.
