Lawmakers brawled in Democratic Republic of Congo's parliament

Lawmakers brawled in Democratic Republic of Congo's parliament on Tuesday following an announcement at the weekend that President Felix Tshisekedi plans to end an alliance with his predecessor Joseph Kabila. 

Congo's parliament descended into chaos on Tuesday as rival political groups flung chairs and buckets in a brawl that laid bare the tensions caused by President Felix Tshisekedi's move to end an alliance with his predecessor, Joseph Kabila.

Tshisekedi announced on Sunday he planned to disband his governing coalition with allies of Kabila, while Kabila's side said that would be illegal.

The standoff has raised fears of fresh instability in the Central African country whose economy has been badly rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic, and whose recent history has been marked by repeated civil wars and political upheaval.

Fighting has broken out in parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the second day running.

The police had to be called in to break up supporters of President Félix Tshisekedi and those backing the previous head of state, Joseph Kabila. 

fight broke out in the main hall of the parliament building between lawmakers and supporters from the two camps, one of whom appeared to be wielding a machete.

Tshisekedi's supporters, some in suits and stylish shoes, hurled chairs, wooden batons and plastic buckets up a staircase toward Kabila partisans who launched the objects back, two Reuters witnesses said.

One man was carried away bleeding from the head. The police eventually dispersed the crowd with tear gas.

The two camps have a long history of bad blood. Tshisekedi and his late father were longtime opponents of Kabila, who governed from 2001 to January 2019.

Tshisekedi agreed to the coalition after his victory in the disputed 2018 election, in which he defeated Kabila's chosen successor but Kabila allies won majorities in parliament, entitling them to most cabinet posts.

Frustrated by his inability to push through his agenda, Tshisekedi said on Sunday that he would try to form a new majority in parliament and, if unsuccessful, would call for new parliamentary elections.