Civil society groups are holding a protest in DR Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, against a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron that is scheduled for later this week.
The protesters gathered outside the French embassy to accuse France of siding with neighbouring Rwanda – which has been linked by the UN and US of supporting the M23 rebel group based in the eastern part of the country.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting the rebels.
President Macron visit is meant to “deepen the Franco-Congolese relationship in the fields of education, health, research, culture and defence,” according to a statement from his office.
Mr Macron is making a four-nation tour of central African countries, starting with Gabon on Wednesday.
