Dr Congo’s c64 opposition maintains constitutional ultimatum

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the C64 opposition coalition is intensifying its campaign against the proposed constitutional revision championed by the presidential camp. Leaders in Kinshasa have reiterated a firm ultimatum to President Félix Tshisekedi, demanding the complete abandonment of any initiative to amend the nation’s fundamental law. This political standoff escalates against a backdrop of already heightened security tensions in the eastern regions of the country.

A united congolese opposition against constitutional revision

The C64 platform, which brings together several prominent figures from the Congolese opposition, has coalesced specifically around its rejection of the constitutional revision promised by President Tshisekedi. Its leaders firmly believe that altering the fundamental text would pave the way for institutional changes designed to consolidate the power of the current administration. Their message to the President remains unequivocal: publicly renounce the project or face significant popular mobilization.

For the coalition, the 2006 Constitution, adopted through a referendum following the post-conflict transition, represents a non-negotiable democratic achievement. C64 cadres are particularly concerned about potential modifications to provisions that currently limit the number and duration of presidential terms. This perspective is widely shared by segments of civil society and various religious institutions, which have expressed reservations about any rewriting of the foundational document in recent months.

President félix tshisekedi’s political strategy in Kinshasa

Re-elected in December 2023 for a second term, President Félix Tshisekedi had, as early as autumn 2024, underscored the necessity of a new Constitution, which he argued would be better adapted to Congolese realities. The presidential argument highlights the supposed inadequacy of the current text to meet the development and governance imperatives of a vast nation of over a hundred million inhabitants. Conversely, opponents denounce this as a mere pretext to circumvent presidential term limits and further entrench the “Union sacrée” at the highest echelons of the state.

The head of state announced the formation of a commission tasked with reviewing the matter, a move perceived by his critics as the initial stage of a process with an already determined outcome. For the opposition coalition, this is neither a technical debate nor an academic exercise, but a pivotal political moment. The situation recalls precedents observed elsewhere on the continent, where constitutional revisions presented as modernizing efforts ultimately led to significant shifts in electoral calendars.

Social and security tensions in the drc

The debate over constitutional reform unfolds within a particularly challenging environment. In the eastern part of the country, the provinces of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu have been experiencing a large-scale offensive by the M23 armed group since the beginning of the year, reportedly supported by external forces according to several UN expert reports. The fall of key areas like Goma and later Bukavu in the first quarter of the year has weakened state authority and fueled internal dissent. The opposition maintains that the government’s primary focus should be on restoring territorial sovereignty rather than pursuing institutional restructuring.

Economically, the DRC remains a strategic supplier for global cobalt and copper supply chains, materials crucial for the energy transition. Investors are closely monitoring the evolving political climate in Kinshasa, aware that any prolonged institutional crisis could impact the visibility and viability of major mining contracts. Regional partners, including Angola and South Africa, are also observing the unfolding political standoff with keen interest.

It remains to be seen whether the C64’s ultimatum will lead to coordinated street demonstrations or primarily political escalation. Previous calls for protests by the opposition have resulted in varied levels of mobilization, often met by a deterrent police presence. The coalition is now banking on an expanded alliance with civil society and religious confessions to exert greater influence on the presidential agenda. The opposition coordination intends to maintain pressure until an explicit renunciation from the head of state.