Congo protests expose weakness of Kabila's coalition

A police officer stands guard in front of a store that was looted during violent protests in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo January 23, 2015. REUTERS/Rey Byhre

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Protests that blocked a reform which could have extended Congo President Joseph Kabila's rule have exposed deep rifts in his ruling coalition and galvanised opposition, increasing the chance of further unrest ahead of elections due next year.

Kabila took power in Democratic Republic of Congo in 2001 following the assassination of his father, and won disputed elections in 2006 and 2011 in Africa's largest copper producer. But he is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.