The ruling party in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called for constitutional reforms, sparking fears among the opposition about potential term extensions for President Felix Tshisekedi.
Augustin Kabuya, secretary general of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), made the announcement in a circular shared on X. Kabuya argued that the current constitution “has demonstrated its limits in the exercise of public power.”
He urged party leaders to “mobilise and raise awareness” about the advantages of revising the constitution. This statement comes amid growing warnings from opposition groups and pro-democracy activists who oppose such efforts.
The Congolese citizen movement Struggle for Change (Lucha) reacted sharply to the proposal, declaring, “Trying to change the constitution to stay in power is a red line.” They emphasized that the Congolese people had already rejected such changes and would mobilise to prevent them.
In recent months, President Tshisekedi has labeled the current constitution “outdated,” advocating for reforms. The population ratified the constitution through a referendum in 2006, with amendments made in 2011.
Under the existing constitution, a president is limited to two five-year terms. Any changes to this constitution must be approved either by a referendum or by a vote of 60 percent of parliament members.
Political analyst Christian Moleka voiced concerns regarding the ruling party’s intentions, asking, “Does it want to proceed with a revision of the constitution or adopt a new text?”
The push for constitutional change echoes past tensions, as similar calls in January 2015 led to widespread protests in Kinshasa and other cities. Those protests were sparked by proposed electoral law changes and resulted in deadly unrest.
The situation remains tense, with the opposition vowing to resist any attempts to alter the constitution in favor of extending presidential power. As the ruling party moves forward with its agenda, the Congolese public’s response will be crucial in shaping the future of the nation’s governance.
