Tshisekedi said he was in agreement with the Kinshasa local government’s decision to ban the planned protests, highlighting the violence that broke out in the capital earlier this month.
The demonstrations had been planned by opposition groups who rejected the country’s December presidential elections from which Tshisekedi was declared winner.
“I of course agree with the ban because if you recall, a march was authorized a few days ago and there were incidents. Since I’ve been in power, I haven’t banned any demonstrations. The rights and freedoms of citizens are protected but we do have the impression that some people confuse democracy and anarchy,” President Tshisekedi said in an interview with France 24.
Kinshasa police chief Sylvano Kasongo said public gatherings were not allowed on Sunday, and that the security authorities would act against any groupings found defying the order.
The DR Congo held its presidential elections on December 30, with three candidates running to replace the outgoing Joseph Kabila.
The electoral commission declared Felix Tshisekedi winner of the poll ahead of Martin Fayulu. The ruling party’s Emmanuel Ramazany came third in the vote.
Fayulu rejected the results, alleging fraud.
The election bore the DR Congo’s first peaceful transition of power since its independence in 1960.
