Security forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo fired shots in the air and dispersed a mass with tear gas in central Kinshasa, where banned marches had been called by the Catholic church against the extension of power of President Joseph Kabila.

"While we were praying, the soldiers and the police entered the church compound and fired tear gas at the church" where the mass was being held, a Christian of the parish of St Michael in the central municipality of Bandalungwa told AFP. "They dispersed us," he added.