KINSHASA — One person was killed and at least four injured as police fired live bullets and tear gas to disperse banned protests calling on D.R. Congo President Joseph Kabila to stand down.

The church-backed protests in the Democratic Republic of Congo come after months of tension sparked by Kabila’s prolonged rule and long-delayed elections in the vast and chronically unstable country.

In the capital Kinshasa, one man was killed and two people seriously injured as police opened fire on demonstrators.

“Since 7am we have received three injured people from the Catholic march. Two were seriously injured and one died from a bullet wound in the chest,” said Francois Kajingulu, a senior doctor at the St Joseph de Limete hospital in central Kinshasa.

A journalist in the northeastern city of Kisangani said at least two people suffered bullet injuries as police fired on marchers.

Hundreds began marching after mass at Kisangani cathedral but were dispersed by security forces who fired bullets and tear gas.

The demonstrators fled back into the cathedral singing the national anthem, “Debout Congolais” (Arise Congolese).

Three priests were arrested as they led a march in the Saint Pierre de Wagenia district in the east of the city. Officers took them away in a police vehicle, the journalist said.

The nationwide protests were called by the Lay Coordination Committee (CLC), an organization close to the church and an influential social and spiritual movement. But authorities banned the demonstrations.

Kabila was due to stand down from office in December 2016, ending his second elected term, but he has controversially stayed on under laws enabling him to retain power until his successor is elected.

In January he accused the church of interfering in Congolese politics.

Previous protests on New Year’s Eve and January 21 saw a total of 15 people killed by security forces, according to tolls given by organizers and the United Nations. The government said just two people died in the unrest.

Police fired warning shots and tear gas to break up protesters who began marching after leaving morning mass in several districts.

Internet access was also cut in the capital.

Kinshasa police chief General Sylvano Kasongo said on Saturday he was under orders to “take measures to ensure the security of the population, and to stop anyone who attempts to disturb public order”.

But he added: “The goal is to have zero casualties.”

Hundreds of ruling party supporters had stormed Kinshasa cathedral on Saturday.

“We have come to take possession of Our Lady of the Congo Cathedral to take part in Sunday mass ... and defend the homeland,” Papy Pungu, youth wing leader of the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), said.

On Friday, the European Union, Switzerland and Canada issued a joint statement underscoring the “importance of respecting fundamental rights including the right to demonstrate.”

Political tensions in D.R. Congo have been mounting since September 2016, when clashes between youths and security forces left dozens of people dead in Kinshasa. — AFP