In a high-stakes political maneuver, Congo’s president Félix Tshisekedi has requested parliamentary reconsideration of a contentious constitutional reform bill that critics argue could pave the way for a third term. The move comes as tensions escalate between the government and the Coalition Article 64 (C64), a powerful bloc of opposition parties formed in May to challenge Tshisekedi’s agenda.

The reform proposal, championed by the ruling party since 2024, has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, who claim it violates the 2006 Constitution by potentially enabling Tshisekedi to seek re-election beyond the two-term limit. On August 12, Dieudonné Bolengetenge, secretary-general of Moïse Katumbi’s Ensemble pour la République and spokesperson for C64, issued a stern warning in Kinshasa: the coalition would no longer heed calls for restraint and would escalate protests if the president failed to address their demands.

The opposition had set August 15 as a deadline to evaluate progress in political negotiations, urging citizens to mobilize if the referendum bill under parliamentary review was not withdrawn. The coalition’s stance underscores the growing urgency of the situation, with civil society groups also weighing in to urge the president to abandon the constitutional amendment.

Opposition cautiously welcomes president’s move

While Tshisekedi’s decision to seek a new parliamentary debate represents a shift in the government’s approach, the opposition remains unconvinced. Prince Epenge, co-founder of C64, described the concession as a small step in the right direction, but emphasized that sustained pressure would continue until the bill is fully withdrawn.

The opposition’s resolve was temporarily softened in late July when religious leaders—including Catholic and Protestant authorities—called for dialogue over confrontation, leading to a postponement of a planned protest in Kinshasa. However, the delay did little to quell the coalition’s broader demands for democratic accountability.

Civil society joins chorus against constitutional reform

In a joint memorandum submitted on August 10 to Tshisekedi and key state institutions, 65 Congolese civil society organizations warned that pushing ahead with the referendum could deepen political divisions, fuel social unrest, and divert national resources from critical priorities. The collective appeal reflects mounting public apprehension over the potential destabilizing effects of constitutional changes.