Shouting through megaphones, a dozen Congolese anti-French protesters waylaid commuters on a busy road in the capital, Kinshasa, and passed out leaflets to boost opposition to a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday (March 4).
Their campaign was part of a smattering of protests in Democratic Republic of Congo this week ahead of Macron’s arrival for the final leg of a central Africa tour during which he has sought to keep the focus away from politics.
Congo is not a former French colony, but perceptions of French support for Rwanda have stoked anti-French sentiment as eastern regions battle an offensive by the M23 rebel group that Congo accuses Rwanda of backing.