In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, President Félix Tshisekedi has formally returned the constitutional referendum bill to Parliament for a second review. This move comes just one day before the opposition coalition C64’s ultimatum expires. The coalition, along with dozens of civil society groups, had demanded that the president abandon his constitutional reform plans by August 15 and withdraw the referendum bill. They also called for an inclusive national dialogue.

With the deadline just hours away, no date has been set for such a dialogue. The coalition has warned of decisive action if their demands are not met.

Tshisekedi’s tactical retreat under pressure

While many anticipated the referendum law to take immediate effect—due to the lack of presidential promulgation within 15 days as required by the Congolese Constitution—Tshisekedi opted instead to send the bill back to Parliament. This decision follows the Constitutional Court’s observations, prompting a fresh round of deliberations.

Professor Bob Kabamba, a political scientist at the University of Liège in Belgium, interprets this move as a tactical retreat by Tshisekedi. However, he cautions that this does not signal an end to the president’s ambitions to extend his stay in power beyond 2028, the end of his second term.

“This decision reflects the immense pressure from both domestic opposition and regional actors. These combined forces, along with behind-the-scenes consultations, forced Tshisekedi to backtrack and seek a second parliamentary review of the bill. It’s a setback, but one that won’t prevent him from exploring alternative avenues to remain in power past 2028,” Kabamba explains.

C64 vows escalated action after August 15 deadline

The opposition coalition C64 has acknowledged the bill’s return to Parliament but remains unmoved in its stance. As the August 15 deadline approaches, the coalition has signaled plans to intensify pressure on the government.

“When the clock strikes midnight on August 15, we will confirm that no action has been taken. We will then launch major targeted operations through our C64 laboratory to compel this regime—one that has stripped us of our freedoms and is now attempting to seize our national sovereignty—to come to its senses,” declared Franklin Tshiamala, Secretary-General of Leadership for Governance and Development (LGD), a movement linked to former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo.

Standoff reaches boiling point

From the government’s perspective, the referendum process is framed as a legitimate political and institutional initiative. The ultimatum issued by C64, however, has been dismissed as an illegitimate demand that cannot dictate the president’s agenda.

“This ultimatum was never about governance—it was about appeasing external backers. The Republic continues to function as normal,” asserted Adolphe Amisi Makutano, a senior member of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), President Tshisekedi’s party.

The political deadlock remains firmly in place. The August 15 deadline could mark the beginning of a new and decisive chapter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s political landscape.