Moise Katumbi, one of the main opposition candidates in Congo's presidential election next week, suspended part of his campaign on Wednesday following violent clashes at one of his election rallies.

As Katumbi addressed supporters in the coastal town of Moanda on Tuesday, live rounds were fired and several people were injured, escalating tensions ahead of the Dec. 20 election.

There are various accounts of what happened. According to the provincial government, Katumbi's guards fired warning shots after the crowd became rowdy, causing tension and jostling. To restore order, the police used tear gas.

According to the statement, several people were injured, including a police officer who was seriously injured, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.


Katumbi claimed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that police fired live bullets at protesters and that the incident was staged to incite violence.

"In order to avoid further provocation, I have decided to temporarily suspend my meeting with citizens in (the cities of) Kananga and Tshikapa," he said, referring to Wednesday's events.

Kananga and Tshikapa are in the Kasai-Central province, a stronghold for President Felix Tshisekedi's supporters.

Almost 44 million people have registered to vote in the election, which will determine whether Tshisekedi will be re-elected after a first term marred by economic hardship and insecurity.


Katumbi is one of over a dozen presidential candidates, including leading opposition candidate Martin Fayulu and Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynecologist Denis Mukwege.

Several issues have arisen in the election's run-up, including alleged irregular voter registration and difficulties in distributing voting materials.