In a dramatic turn of events in Kinshasa, President Félix Tshisekedi has returned the constitutional referendum bill to Parliament for second review just days before the opposition coalition C64’s ultimatum expires. The move comes despite the Constitutional Court’s earlier validation of the bill, albeit with reservations.

The C64 coalition, alongside over 60 civil society organizations, has demanded that the president abandon his constitutional reform plans by August 15 and reject the referendum law outright. They are also calling for an inclusive national dialogue, though no timeline has been set for such discussions as the deadline approaches.

Tshisekedi’s tactical retreat amid mounting pressure

Contrary to expectations that the referendum organization law would automatically take effect due to lack of presidential promulgation within 15 days (as per Article 140 of the Congolese Constitution), President Tshisekedi has chosen to send the legislation back to Parliament. This decision follows constitutional court observations, effectively delaying the process.

Professor Bob Kabamba, a political analyst at the University of Liège, Belgium, interprets this as a tactical retreat by Tshisekedi. However, he cautions that this doesn’t indicate an abandonment of the president’s ambitions to remain in power beyond 2028, the end of his second term.

“The intense pressure from both domestic opposition and regional actors, combined with consultations, forced Tshisekedi to backtrack and seek a second parliamentary review. This is a clear setback, but it doesn’t mean he’s given up on finding alternative paths to extend his mandate beyond 2028,” Kabamba explained.

C64 prepares decisive actions as deadline approaches

The opposition coalition Article 64 has welcomed Tshisekedi’s decision to return the bill to Parliament, but remains unyielding in its demands. With the August 15 ultimatum expiration just hours away, C64 is preparing a series of strategic actions to intensify pressure on the government.

“At midnight on August 15, we will confirm that nothing has been done. We will announce major surgical operations through our C64 laboratory to make this regime understand that it has stolen our freedom and is attempting to steal our national sovereignty,” declared Franklin Tshiamala, Secretary-General of Leadership for Governance and Development (LGD), led by former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo.

Government dismisses opposition ultimatum

Meanwhile, government officials continue to defend the constitutional referendum process as a legitimate political and institutional initiative. The presidential office has dismissed the C64 ultimatum as an illegitimate attempt to dictate the national agenda.

Adolphe Amisi Makutano, a senior member of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), President Tshisekedi’s party, stated: “The C64 ultimatum is theirs alone – perhaps designed to please their backers. But the Republic continues to function normally.”

The escalating standoff between the executive branch and the opposition coalition sets the stage for a critical political moment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the August 15 deadline passes.