Thousands protest in eastern Congo over any presidential third term

DAKAR, July 28 (Reuters) - Thousands ‌of people ​rallied ​in the eastern Congolese cities of Goma and Bukavu on Tuesday to protest against proposed ‌constitutional changes that could pave the way for President ⁠Felix Tshisekedi to run for a third term.

• Goma and Bukavu ‌have been under the ‌control of AFC/M23 rebels since the group's rapid advance across North and South Kivu provinces last year.

• Congo's ​parliament in June approved a bill that would allow constitutional changes to be submitted to a referendum, a ⁠move that critics say could pave the way for Tshisekedi to seek a ​third term.

• Proposed constitutional reforms triggered opposition-led protests in the capital Kinshasa on June 12 that ​were dispersed by security forces.

• ‌Demonstrators carried banners reading "No to constitutional change" and "No to a referendum and a third term", ⁠according to two Reuters witnesses.

• Protesters also called for the U.N. to lift sanctions imposed this month on AFC/M23 leader Corneille ⁠Nangaa and the group.

• Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya accused the ​rebels of forcing residents to join the demonstrations in a post on X. An AFC/M23 spokesperson did not immediately respond to a ‌request for comment.

• The demonstrations took place under police supervision, the witnesses said, despite a ‌ban on gatherings introduced to curb the spread of ⁠Ebola.

• Rebel leaders declared ‌territories under their control ​Ebola-free last month.

(Reporting by Congo newsroom; Writing by Clement Bonnerot; Editing by Jessica Donati and Alison ‌Williams)

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