DRC referendum bill deepens constitutional standoff
The Democratic Republic of Congo's National Assembly passed a bill to hold referendums, potentially allowing President Félix Tshisekedi to seek a third term, amid opposition boycott and ongoing security crises.
Despite an ongoing Ebola epidemic and persistent insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the political elite is increasingly focused on a possible constitutional overhaul. On June 9, the National Assembly passed a bill to organize referendums — legislation crucial to any constitutional revision as President Félix Tshisekedi's second and final term expires in 2028. The vote took place without opposition lawmakers, who have boycotted parliament for weeks in protest.
Tshisekedi has signaled openness to a third term if the people want it, and his Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) has launched a public campaign promoting constitutional reform. Opposition leaders argue the referendum law is designed to bypass term limits. Moïse Katumbi, who came second in the 2023 presidential election and now lives in exile, called it a subterfuge for a constitutional coup, warning of resistance and potential violence.
The bill has also sparked legal debate. Critics argue sovereignty cannot be exercised outside constitutional limits. Lawyers suggest the Constitutional Court may strike down parts or all of the law. Religious groups are divided; some evangelical churches support reform, while Catholic and Protestant churches warn against undermining democratic gains.
The reform push has unified a fragmented opposition. At the end of May, figures including Katumbi, Martin Fayulu, Matata Ponyo and Jean-Marc Kabund, along with civil society groups, launched the "Article 64 Coalition for the Defense of Constitutional Order" (C64). Public protests are gaining momentum; a nationwide "ville morte" strike on June 3 was widely observed. Further demonstrations are planned.
The opposition is also seeking international backing. Katumbi has appealed to US President Donald Trump, warning of destabilization. Some analysts suggest Tshisekedi feels emboldened by international support linked to strategic mineral deals, particularly with the US. Tshisekedi himself has linked constitutional reform to external pressures, claiming the Americans demanded certain reforms that require a constitutional revision.
