Joseph Kabila , President of DR Congo

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have ordered that the nation’s internet capacity be slowed down to prevent further transmission and exchange of images across major social media sites.

The moves come as calls for the resignation of President Joseph Kabila continue to grow even as the opposition have embarked on a nation-wide strike to protest the President’s decision to hang on to power after his tenure expires in December, 2017.

“In order to prevent the exchange of abusive images via social media by your subscribers, I ask you to take technical measures to restrict to a minimum, capacity to transmit images,” said Oscar Manikunda Musata, the country’s Telecoms Chief Regulator to service providers.

Musata also listed the social media he wanted the preventive measures to target to include Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter and Instagram.

On Monday, not less than 14 people were reportedly killed in clashes between the country’s security forces and members of the anti-government sect, Bundu dia Kongo.