Unstable year culminates in tense elections
After a delay of over two years, presidential elections were held on 30 December 2018. As the voting date approached, the repression of political opponents and human rights activists increased, as well as general insecurity. More than once, the Congolese authorities turned their back on international pacification efforts.
Read more: Kinshasa sends alarming message to the international community
Violence and armed conflict continued to plague several regions in the country, especially in the East. Both security forces and non-state armed groups committed mass abuse against civilians, including rape, killings, pillaging and torture.