Anti-government protestors filled the streets of the Democratic Republic of the Congo capital Kinshasa on January 19 and 20 to protest against a new election law making its way through the National Assembly. The new law calls for a national census before another presidential election is held which could lead to an unconstitutional extension in office by incumbent president Joseph Kabila. Rioters turned their anger against Chinese merchants in the capital, razing stores and attacking migrants. At least three Chinese migrants were injured and 180 were ushered to safety by the Chinese embassy. It is not clear exactly why the protestors focused their anger on the Chinese community in particular. Leading Sino-Congolese scholar Johanna Malm joins Eric and Cobus to discuss what may have prompted this xenophobic outburst.
Recommendations
- “Chinese Become Targets in DR Congo Anti-Government Riots,” AFP, The Daily Mail, January 25, 2015
- “The Chinese in Africa: Meet Mister Chen,” Eric Olander, The China Africa Project, March 12, 2010