00:00The DRC's government has banned the activities of 13 political parties, including the PPRD,
00:07a former president, Joseph Kabila.
00:10Announced by Interior Minister Jacques-Mas Shabami on Thursday,
00:14the move has been welcomed by the ruling UDPS party.
00:18We welcome this decision because it is a matter of responsibility.
00:25The Interior Minister is responsible for the security of Kabila citizens.
00:30In that capacity, it must make the necessary decisions to protect them.
00:40The ban also targets three parties linked to Kabila.
00:44It follows the creation of the FRN, a politico-military movement led by the former president N'Goma.
00:51The opposition has condemned the move.
00:56We are fighting against constitutional changes and the tyranny taking a hold across the country.
01:02We cannot stand by and do nothing.
01:04In our view, lawmakers have been bribed and can no longer speak freely.
01:08The aim is to silence the opposition, one of the few remaining channels for public expression.
01:15The Interior Ministry's decision does not specify the reasons for the ban or how long it will last,
01:21nor does it dissolve the parties.
01:23For one political analyst, the move raises questions about its legality,
01:29political pluralism and the risk of fueling public frustration.
01:38The decision risks creating frustration among Congolese members of these parties
01:43who may not be involved in the actions attributed to their leaders.
01:47The consequences on the ground may be different from what we anticipate today.
01:51Banning political parties suggests authorities may fear demonstrations,
01:55even though the DRC is a democracy.
02:00Since the announcement of Kabila's FRN movement and the ban on PPRD activities,
02:06several figures have distanced themselves from the former ruling party exposing growing internal divisions.
