The constitutional amendment debate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has escalated into a legal confrontation. On June 4, 2026, leaders of the Coalition Article 64 (C64) gathered in Kinshasa to assess the impact of a nationwide shutdown they had called the day before. While authorities dismissed the mobilization as limited to the capital, C64 leaders insisted that major cities across the country had adhered to their call, signaling a broader challenge to the presidential majority’s agenda.
Opposition unites against constitutional changes
The C64, formed to defend Article 64 of the Congolese Constitution—which safeguards citizens’ right to resist unconstitutional power grabs—brings together critics of the reform proposal. Among its prominent figures is opposition leader Delly Sesanga, who highlighted the shutdown’s success in cities outside Kinshasa. The coalition is positioning itself as a key political force opposing the presidential camp’s constitutional overhaul.
The debate over the amendment has intensified as ruling party officials argue the need to update the fundamental law. The opposition interprets this as a strategy to enable President Félix Tshisekedi’s potential third term, despite the Constitution’s two-term limit—a provision seen as a cornerstone of post-Mobutu democratic safeguards.
Legal action against President Tshisekedi marks a turning point
The coalition’s most significant announcement was the imminent filing of a lawsuit against the President and his allies, accusing them of attempting to subvert constitutional order. This serious legal framing aims to elevate the dispute from politics to law, potentially drawing in judges, lawyers, and civil society. While judicial success is unlikely in the short term, the move sets a clear narrative: a government suspected of seeking an institutional power grab.
For Delly Sesanga and allies, the lawsuit serves a dual purpose—establishing a red line and compelling the majority to clarify its intentions on term limits and the scope of the amendments.
Political tensions rise amid shifting regional dynamics
The DRC faces heightened political and security challenges. In the East, the resurgence of the M23 and Rwanda-related diplomatic pressures add to the complexity. Domestically, the constitutional reform debate has deepened divisions between Kinshasa and a fragmented opposition that is regrouping around clear, unified demands. The C64 is banking on this clarity to expand its influence.
The shutdown’s actual impact remains contested. Authorities downplay its reach, while organizers claim broader participation. Without independent verification, assessments vary. The coalition’s ability to sustain pressure and rally additional political and provincial figures will determine its influence in the power struggle with Tshisekedi’s camp.
Regional observers note that the DRC’s constitutional debate fits into a broader continental trend on term limits, from recent events in Senegal to older examples in West Africa. Each case shapes Africa’s political lexicon and influences governance expectations among international partners. The coalition has vowed to continue mobilizing while shifting its strategy toward legal avenues.
