Fearful of possible violence, many residents have chosen to remain at home, or within their immediate neighbourhoods, bringing the city to a virtual standstill. UN and diplomatic staff from a number of embassies have been urged to be prudent with travel around the city during the day and vehemently urged to remain indoors at night.

But while the central business district has shut down, as fears grow of clashes following the release of election results, the city remains alive at the edges.

This is, after all, one of the most populous cities in the world, and despite the lockdown, with riot police, republican guard forces and soldiers present at various locations across the city, Kinshasa continues to breath, albeit with apprehension.