In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the C64 opposition coalition is intensifying its pressure against the proposed constitutional revision put forth by the presidential camp. Leaders in Kinshasa have reiterated an ultimatum to President Félix Tshisekedi, demanding the complete withdrawal of any initiative to modify the fundamental law. This political standoff escalates as the nation grapples with an already tense security situation in its eastern regions.
Congolese opposition united against constitutional revision
The C64 platform, which brings together several veteran figures of the Congolese opposition, coalesced specifically around the rejection of the constitutional revision promised by Félix Tshisekedi. Its leaders contend that tampering with the foundational text would pave the way for an institutional reconfiguration custom-designed to serve the incumbent power. Their message to the President remains unequivocal: publicly abandon the project or face widespread mobilization.
For the coalition, the 2006 Constitution, adopted via referendum following the post-conflict transition, represents a non-negotiable democratic achievement. Its members particularly fear any alteration to provisions that limit the number and duration of presidential terms. This perspective aligns with that of a segment of civil society and several religious institutions, which have, in recent months, voiced their concerns regarding any rewriting of the document.
Félix Tshisekedi’s political strategy in Kinshasa
Re-elected in December 2023 for a second term, Félix Tshisekedi had, as early as autumn 2024, signaled the necessity of a new Constitution, which he argued would be better suited to Congolese realities. The presidential argument highlights the current text’s alleged inadequacy in addressing the development and governance imperatives of a continent-sized nation with over a hundred million inhabitants. In response, opponents denounce this as a pretext designed to circumvent term limits and solidify the Union sacrée’s hold at the apex of the state.
The head of state announced the formation of a commission tasked with deliberating on the matter, a move perceived by his detractors as the initial step in a process whose outcome is already predetermined. For the opposition coalition, this is neither a technical debate nor an academic exercise, but a pivotal political turning point. This sequence evokes precedents observed elsewhere on the continent, where revisions presented as modernizing efforts have ultimately led to realignments of the electoral calendar.
Social and security tensions in the DRC
The constitutional debate unfolds within an exceptionally challenging environment. In the country’s East, the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu have endured a large-scale offensive by the M23 armed group since the beginning of the year, reportedly backed by external forces according to several UN expert reports. The fall of Goma, and subsequently Bukavu, in the first quarter, has weakened state authority and fueled internal dissent. The opposition asserts that the government’s priority should be the restoration of territorial sovereignty rather than an institutional overhaul.
Economically, the DRC remains a strategic supplier for global cobalt and copper supply chains, materials essential for the energy transition. Investors are closely monitoring the evolving political climate in Kinshasa, aware that any protracted institutional crisis would impact the visibility of major mining contracts. Regional partners, notably Angola and South Africa, are also carefully observing the next phases of this political confrontation.
It remains to be seen whether the C64’s ultimatum will translate into coordinated street actions or a purely political escalation. Previous calls for demonstrations by the opposition have resulted in uneven mobilizations, often contained by a deterrent police presence. The coalition is now banking on a broader alliance with civil society and religious confessions to influence the presidential agenda. The opposition coordination intends to maintain pressure until the head of state explicitly backs down.
