A prominent Congolese senator has delivered a scathing critique of Africa’s democratic backsliding during a high-profile address in Ethiopia. Speaking before the Ethiopian Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Forum on July 10, Senator Salomon Kalonda Idi Della condemned what he described as the continent’s growing tolerance for ‘constitutional coups’ disguised as legal reforms.
a dangerous trend: when constitutions become weapons
The senator from Haut-Katanga Province argued that certain African leaders are manipulating constitutional processes to extend their mandates beyond legitimate limits. Using the Democratic Republic of Congo as his primary case study, Kalonda highlighted a controversial reform initiative that he claims would enable the current administration to seek a third term in office—a move he insists violates both constitutional principles and democratic norms.
‘We are witnessing a new form of power seizure,’ Kalonda declared. ‘One that wears the mask of legality while trampling on the will of the people. This is not a military coup with tanks rolling through the streets, but a constitutional coup that uses courts, referendums and legislative maneuvers to subvert democracy.’
bloodshed and silence: the human cost of constitutional manipulation
The senator painted a grim picture of the consequences when constitutional processes are weaponized. He recounted how peaceful protests against the reform were met with violent repression, resulting in civilian casualties. ‘Families mourn their children who fell in the streets while calling for justice,’ he stated. ‘And the international community remains disturbingly silent, as if this bloodshed were merely an unfortunate but acceptable byproduct of political maneuvering.’
Kalonda reserved particular criticism for what he termed the ‘complicity’ of international partners who, while quick to condemn military takeovers, often turn a blind eye to constitutional manipulations that achieve the same undemocratic ends. ‘There should be no distinction between a tank in the square and a judge in a courtroom when both serve the same purpose: silencing the people’s voice.’
four pillars for electoral integrity in africa
To combat this growing threat to democracy, the senator proposed a comprehensive four-point plan:
- Establish an African Electoral Oversight Cell: A permanent continental body tasked with monitoring electoral processes across member states, providing early warnings of potential constitutional manipulations.
- Invest in African Digital Sovereignty: Develop continent-wide digital infrastructure for elections to prevent external interference and ensure transparent vote tabulation.
- Mandate Independent Electoral Audits: Implement transparent, inclusive auditing processes that involve civil society organizations to verify electoral integrity from voter registration to result proclamation.
- Create a Parliamentary Pre-Election Observation Protocol: A standardized framework for parliamentary observation missions that covers the entire electoral cycle, ensuring consistent monitoring standards across the continent.
mining sector suffers as democracy weakens
Beyond political concerns, Kalonda addressed the economic implications of democratic erosion. He argued that the lack of genuine democratic processes in resource-rich nations like the DRC puts legitimate international investors at a disadvantage compared to competitors who operate in less transparent environments. ‘When elections are not free or fair, when constitutions are bent to serve the powerful, the entire economy suffers,’ he explained. ‘Investors seek stability and predictability, not the whims of those who manipulate the rules to stay in power.’
The senator concluded his address with a call to African leaders to reject both military coups and constitutional manipulations, urging a return to genuine democratic principles. ‘Africa deserves better than this false choice between the bullet and the gavel. We must restore the sanctity of our constitutions and the will of our people.’