The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) has unequivocally declared its opposition to President Félix Tshisekedi’s proposed constitutional overhaul. Catholic bishops across the Democratic Republic of Congo contend that such a reform would pave the way for profound institutional instability and undermine the nation’s hard-won democratic progress. Their recent public statement injects a critical new dimension into a debate that has already gripped Kinshasa’s political circles for several months.
The catholic church at the forefront against constitutional reform
In an unusually firm communiqué, the Congolese episcopate deems any alteration to the Fundamental Law ill-advised given the current climate. CENCO, a historically influential voice in the DRC’s public discourse, maintains that the 2006 Constitution remains a legitimate foundational document, born from a challenging national compromise achieved after years of transition. The prelates express deep concern that a change in the text could ultimately serve to reconfigure electoral rules to benefit the incumbent administration.
President Félix Tshisekedi first articulated in October 2024 the necessity of equipping the country with a new Constitution, one he believes is better suited to Congolese realities. According to the head of state, the existing document was drafted under foreign influence and impedes national development. A commission was slated for establishment in 2025 to initiate this reflection. It is precisely this prospect that alarms the Church, alongside a significant segment of the opposition and civil society organizations.
A political memory marked by past attempts at extension
The bishops’ current stance aligns with a consistent trajectory of advocacy. As far back as 2015, during Joseph Kabila’s presidency, CENCO actively mobilized against any efforts to modify presidential term limits. The conference also played a pivotal role in brokering the Saint-Sylvestre agreement in December 2016, which successfully averted a major national crisis. This historical context lends considerable political weight to their present declaration.
The bishops emphasize that the Congolese Constitution includes entrenched, or