In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the C64 opposition coalition is intensifying its pressure against the presidential camp’s proposed constitutional revision. From Kinshasa, leaders of the coalition have reiterated a firm ultimatum to Head of State Félix Tshisekedi, demanding the complete withdrawal of any initiative to modify the nation’s fundamental law. This political standoff escalates as the country simultaneously grapples with a heightened security situation in its eastern provinces.
A united Congolese opposition against constitutional revision
The C64 platform, which brings together several prominent figures from the Congolese opposition, solidified its structure specifically around the rejection of the constitutional revision promised by President Tshisekedi. Its leaders contend that tampering with the foundational text would pave the way for an institutional reconfiguration designed to benefit the ruling power. The message delivered to the President remains unequivocal: publicly abandon the project or face widespread public 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 concerned about potential alterations to provisions that limit the number and duration of presidential terms. This perspective aligns with a segment of civil society and various religious institutions, which have expressed their reservations regarding any rewrite of the text in recent months.
Félix Tshisekedi’s political strategy in Kinshasa
Re-elected in December 2023 for a second term, Félix Tshisekedi first mentioned the necessity for a new, more suitable Constitution for Congolese realities in the autumn of 2024. The presidential argument highlights the current text’s perceived inadequacy for the development and governance imperatives of a continent-sized nation with over one hundred million inhabitants. Conversely, opponents denounce this as a mere pretext to circumvent term limits and further entrench the Union Sacrée’s hold at the highest levels of government.
The Head of State has announced the formation of a commission tasked with studying the matter, a move critics view as the initial step in a process whose outcome is already predetermined. For the opposition coalition, this is not a technical debate or an academic exercise, but a pivotal political moment. The current sequence evokes similar 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 within a particularly volatile environment. In the eastern part of the country, the provinces of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu have faced a large-scale offensive by the M23 armed group since the beginning of the year, reportedly backed by external forces according to several UN expert reports. The fall of Goma, followed by Bukavu, in the first quarter, has weakened state authority and fueled internal dissent. The opposition argues that the government’s priority should be the restoration of territorial sovereignty rather than institutional overhaul.
Economically, the DRC remains a strategic supplier for global cobalt and copper supply chains, materials crucial for the energy transition. Investors are closely monitoring the evolving 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 unfolding political struggle with keen interest.
It remains to be seen whether the C64’s ultimatum will translate into coordinated street actions or primarily political escalation. Previous calls for demonstrations by the opposition have resulted in varying levels of mobilization, often met with a dissuasive police presence. The coalition is now banking on an expanded alliance with civil society and religious denominations to influence the presidential agenda, intending to maintain pressure until an explicit renunciation from the Head of State.