Drc catholic bishops challenge tshisekedi’s constitutional reform plans

The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has unequivocally rejected President Félix Tshisekedi’s proposed constitutional revision. The Catholic bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo contend that such a reform would pave the way for profound institutional instability and undermine the nation’s democratic achievements. Their recent public declaration adds a significant new dimension to a debate that has already gripped Kinshasa’s political sphere for several months.

The catholic church at the forefront against constitutional reform

In an uncharacteristically firm statement, the Congolese episcopate deemed any modification to the Fundamental Law untimely given the current climate. CENCO, an historically influential voice in the DRC’s public discourse, maintains that the 2006 Constitution remains a legitimate framework, born from a hard-won national compromise after years of transition. The prelates fear that altering the text could ultimately serve to reconfigure electoral rules to benefit the incumbent power.

President Félix Tshisekedi first raised the necessity of equipping the country with a new Constitution, one better adapted to Congolese realities, in October 2024. According to the head of state, the existing text was drafted under foreign influence and impedes national development. A commission was slated for establishment in 2025 to initiate this deliberation. It is precisely this prospect that worries the Church, alongside segments of the opposition and civil society.

A political memory marked by extension attempts

The bishops’ opposition aligns with a consistent trajectory. As far back as 2015, under Joseph Kabila, CENCO actively resisted any attempts to modify presidential term limits. They also played a pivotal role in negotiating the Saint-Sylvestre Agreement in December 2016, which helped avert a major crisis. This historical context lends considerable political weight to their current pronouncements.

The bishops reiterate that the Congolese Constitution includes entrenched, or