In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the C64 opposition coalition is intensifying its pressure against the proposed constitutional overhaul championed by the presidential camp. From Kinshasa, the group’s leaders have reiterated an ultimatum to President Félix Tshisekedi, demanding the complete and unconditional withdrawal of any initiative to modify the nation’s foundational law. This political standoff escalates as the country grapples with an already precarious security situation in its eastern regions.
Congolese opposition united against constitutional revision
The C64 platform, bringing together several prominent figures from the Congolese opposition, coalesced specifically around the rejection of the constitutional revision promised by Félix Tshisekedi. Its leaders firmly believe that altering the fundamental text would pave the way for an institutional restructuring meticulously designed to serve the interests of the incumbent power. Their message to the President of the Republic remains unambiguous: publicly abandon the project or face widespread mobilization.
For the coalition, the 2006 Constitution, which was adopted via referendum following the post-conflict transition, represents a non-negotiable democratic achievement. Its key members are particularly apprehensive about any changes to provisions that limit the number and duration of presidential terms. This perspective aligns with a segment of civil society and several religious institutions, which have expressed their reservations about any rewriting of the document in recent months.
Félix Tshisekedi’s political strategy in Kinshasa
Re-elected in December 2023 for a second term, Félix Tshisekedi had, as early as autumn 2024, articulated the perceived necessity of a new Constitution, which he argued would be better suited to Congolese realities. The presidential argument emphasizes 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 mere pretext to circumvent term limits and solidify the Union Sacrée’s hold on the highest echelons of state power.
The head of state announced the establishment of a commission tasked with deliberating on the matter, a move viewed by his detractors as the initial step in a process whose outcome is already predetermined. For the opposition coalition, this is neither a technical discussion nor an academic exercise, but a pivotal political juncture. The sequence evokes precedents observed elsewhere on the continent, where revisions presented as modernizing efforts ultimately led to shifts in electoral calendars.
A tense social and security climate in the DRC
The constitutional debate unfolds against a particularly somber backdrop. In the eastern part of the country, the provinces of North Kivu and South 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 Goma and then Bukavu in the first quarter of the year has weakened state authority and fueled internal dissent. The opposition contends that the government’s priority should be the restoration of territorial sovereignty rather than institutional reform.
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 political climate in Kinshasa, aware that any prolonged institutional crisis could impact the visibility of major mining contracts. Regional partners, including Angola and South Africa, are also observing the next stages of this political struggle with keen interest.
It remains to be seen whether the C64’s ultimatum will translate into coordinated street actions or a purely political escalation. Previous calls for protests by the opposition have resulted in varying levels of mobilization, often met with a deterrent police presence. The coalition is now banking on a broader alliance with civil society and religious denominations to influence the presidential agenda, aiming to maintain pressure until an explicit renunciation from the head of state.
