At least six persons were reportedly shot dead by Congolese security forces in an attempt to disperse a banned protest organized by the Catholic church against the continued stay in power of President Joseph Kabila.

Reports say police and other paramilitary troops fired volleys of tear gas and shot sporadically into the air during Sunday’s protests outside the Notre Dame cathedral in the country’s capital, Kinshasa.

Florence Marchal, spokeswoman for the United Nation’s mission in the country (MONUSCO) also disclosed that about 57 people were wounded while dozens of arrests have been made across the country

The Chief of Police for Kinshasa city, General Sylvano Kasongo Kitenge had in an overnight statement, warned that the protest was banned and that ‘no attempt to disturb public order will be tolerated anywhere in Kinshasa.’

Kasongo, surrounded by several armed policemen had visited the road leading to Notre Dame where the protest was happening and ordered everyone, including the priests to go home.

Under a deal mediated by the church and Kabila’s opponents, the President was supposed to step down at the end of last year to pave way for an election this year.

But he reneged on the deal, prompting the church to emerge as a harness for opposition to Kabila’s efforts to remain in power with no mandate while his political opposition remains feeble and factionalized.