In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the debate over constitutional reform has escalated into a legal battle, with opposition forces claiming significant success for their nationwide ville morte strike. On June 4, leaders of the Coalition Article 64 (C64) convened in Kinshasa to assess the impact of the protest, which they assert disrupted multiple major cities beyond the capital. Official narratives dismissing the strike as a Kinshasa-only phenomenon were firmly challenged by the coalition’s organizers.
opposition unites against constitutional revisions
The C64, formed to uphold Article 64 of the Congolese Constitution—which protects citizens’ right to resist unconstitutional power grabs—has emerged as a vocal critic of the proposed constitutional amendments. Among its prominent members, opposition figure Delly Sesanga emphasized the widespread participation in the strike, highlighting cities outside Kinshasa where the movement gained momentum. The coalition now positions itself as a pivotal force in opposing President Félix Tshisekedi’s constitutional agenda.
Critics argue that the reform effort is a thinly veiled attempt to enable a third presidential term for Tshisekedi, who was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in late 2023. The current Constitution caps presidential mandates at two consecutive terms, a safeguard dating back to the post-Mobutu transition and widely regarded as a cornerstone of democratic governance.
legal action targets president and allies
The most consequential development from the coalition’s meeting was the announcement of an upcoming lawsuit against President Tshisekedi and his supporters, framed as an attempt to overthrow the constitutional order. This legal strategy aims to shift the contest from the political arena to the courts, potentially involving judges, lawyers, and civil society in the fray. While few expect an immediate judicial resolution, the move signals a deliberate effort to frame the government’s actions as a breach of institutional trust.
The symbolic weight of the lawsuit is undeniable. By invoking the most severe criminal charges tied to institutional violations, the C64 seeks not only to expose what it calls a power grab but also to force the ruling majority to clarify its intentions regarding term limits and the scope of constitutional changes.
a nation on edge ahead of critical political milestones
The DRC faces a precarious political moment, compounded by escalating insecurity in the East—driven by the M23 rebellion—and mounting diplomatic pressure linked to regional tensions with Rwanda. Domestically, the constitutional reform debate has deepened divisions between Kinshasa and an opposition that, though fragmented, is coalescing around clear, accessible demands. The C64’s strategy hinges on this clarity to expand its influence.
The true test of the opposition’s strength will be the longevity of its pressure campaign and its ability to rally additional political figures and provincial allies. Authorities have downplayed the strike’s impact, while organizers insist it resonated nationwide. Without independent verification, interpretations vary. Nevertheless, the coalition’s next steps—particularly its pivot to legal action—will shape its role in the evolving power struggle with President Tshisekedi’s camp.
Regional observers note that the DRC’s constitutional crisis mirrors broader continental trends, from recent developments in Senegal to historical precedents across West Africa. Each case reinforces the continent’s political grammar and influences international expectations for governance standards. For now, the coalition has vowed to sustain its mobilization while shifting focus to the judicial arena.