DRC: C64 opposition maintains ultimatum on constitutional revision

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the C64 opposition coalition is intensifying its pressure against the presidential camp’s proposed constitutional overhaul. From Kinshasa, its leaders have reiterated an ultimatum to Head of State Félix Tshisekedi, demanding the outright withdrawal of any initiative to amend the fundamental law. This political standoff escalates as the nation navigates an already fragile security situation in its eastern provinces.

A united Congolese opposition rejects constitutional changes

The C64 platform, which brings together several prominent figures from the Congolese opposition, specifically coalesced around the rejection of Félix Tshisekedi’s promised constitutional revision. Its leaders contend that tampering with the foundational text would pave the way for an institutional reconfiguration tailored to benefit the incumbent power. The message delivered to the President of the Republic remains firm: publicly abandon the project or face widespread mobilization.

For the coalition, the 2006 Constitution, ratified by referendum following the post-conflict transition, represents a non-negotiable democratic achievement. Its members particularly fear any alteration to provisions that limit the number and duration of presidential terms. This perspective aligns with sentiments expressed by segments of civil society and various religious institutions, which have voiced reservations about 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 had, as early as autumn 2024, signaled the necessity of a new Constitution, which he argued would be better suited to Congolese realities. The presidential narrative emphasizes the current text’s alleged inadequacy in meeting the development and governance imperatives of a continent-sized nation with over one hundred million inhabitants. Conversely, opponents denounce this as a pretext designed to bypass term limits and entrench the Union sacrée’s hold at the apex of the state.

The Head of State announced the formation of a commission tasked with reviewing the matter, a move perceived by his detractors as the initial step in a process with an already predetermined outcome. For the opposition coalition, this is neither a technical debate nor an academic exercise, but a pivotal political moment. The situation evokes 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 charged atmosphere. In the country’s East, the provinces of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu have endured 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 reform.

Economically, the DRC remains a strategic supplier for global cobalt and copper supply chains, materials crucial for the energy transition. Investors closely monitor the evolving political climate in Kinshasa, aware that any prolonged institutional crisis could impact the visibility of major mining contracts. Regional partners, notably Angola and South Africa, are also keenly observing the next phases of this political struggle.

It remains to be seen whether the C64’s ultimatum will translate into coordinated street actions or a purely political escalation. Previous calls for demonstrations by the opposition have resulted in uneven mobilizations, often contained by a dissuasive police presence. The coalition now banks on an expanded alliance with civil society and religious denominations to influence the presidential agenda. The opposition coordination intends to maintain pressure until the Head of State explicitly abandons the project.