Un réforme constitutionnelle en RDC ne peut se faire sans consensus national, avertit l’ONU

As the Democratic Republic of Congo grapples with a contentious debate over constitutional reform, the issue was thrust onto the international stage on 29 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. During an interactive dialogue at the United Nations Human Rights Council, the latest update from the Independent Commission of Inquiry on human rights in North Kivu and South Kivu was presented.

Speaking at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, Abdoul Aziz Thioye, Deputy Director of the Global Operations Division at the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, voiced the concerns of High Commissioner Volker Türk. Thioye deplored the shrinking civic and political space in the DRC, pointing to recent opposition protests in Kinshasa against any attempts at constitutional reform.

Thioye, who previously headed the UN Joint Human Rights Office (BCNUDH) in the country, stressed that any constitutional reform must be built on a national consensus to safeguard social cohesion.

“Any constitutional reform process must rest on national consensus and respect the country’s human rights commitments. All voices must be heard and taken into account; otherwise, social cohesion could suffer serious consequences,” warned Abdoul Aziz Thioye.

On another front, the former BCNUDH chief highlighted the UN’s support through the joint office in combating impunity in the DRC, despite financial constraints and staff reductions. This assistance, he noted, has contributed to the conviction of 109 individuals. Additionally, support was provided to 150 human rights defenders, journalists, and their family members.

“Since our last update to the Council, we have supported authorities in organizing three judicial investigations into serious human rights violations, as well as five mobile hearings. These procedures led to the conviction of 109 people. We also supported 150 human rights defenders, journalists, and their families with psychological, legal, and financial assistance, as well as relocation measures,” explained Abdoul Aziz Thioye.

In the DRC, the constitutional reform debate has given rise to two opposing camps: the Coalition Article 64 for the Defense of the Constitutional Order (C64) and the Coalition of Congolese for the Change of the Constitution (C4). Each claims popular support for its objectives.

This debate unfolds against a backdrop of severe security challenges in eastern DRC, where local and foreign armed groups remain active. The AFC/M23 rebellion, allegedly backed by Rwanda, controls large areas in North Kivu and South Kivu, while the ADF continues its attacks. Diplomatic initiatives to resolve the crisis have stalled, making little tangible progress on the ground.