The National Episcopal Conference of Congo, known as CENCO, has issued a firm rejection of the constitutional overhaul advocated by President Félix Tshisekedi. Catholic leaders in the République démocratique du Congo argue that such a move could trigger deep institutional instability and jeopardize the nation’s democratic progress. This declaration has intensified an already heated political debate in Kinshasa, adding a significant moral weight to the opposition of the proposed changes.
The Catholic Church stands against constitutional modifications
In a statement marked by unusual resolve, the Congolese clergy described any attempt to alter the Basic Law as inappropriate given the current national climate. CENCO, a historically influential actor in the République démocratique du Congo, maintains that the 2006 Constitution remains the only legitimate framework, born from a difficult national consensus after years of conflict. The bishops express concern that a total rewrite of the text might eventually be used to manipulate electoral regulations to favor the current administration.
President Félix Tshisekedi suggested in late 2024 that the country required a new Constitution tailored to local realities. He argued that the existing document was drafted under foreign pressure and serves as an obstacle to national growth. While a commission is expected to begin formal discussions in 2025, this timeline has raised alarms not only within the Church but also among civil society groups and opposition parties.
A legacy of defending democratic term limits
The current resistance from the bishops is part of a consistent historical pattern. Back in 2015, during the presidency of Joseph Kabila, CENCO was a leading voice against efforts to remove presidential term limits. The Church also mediated the 2016 New Year’s Eve Agreement, which was crucial in preventing a major political collapse. This history gives the bishops’ current warnings a profound impact on the political landscape.
Church leaders emphasize that the Congolese Constitution contains “locked” provisions that are strictly intangible, specifically those regarding the number and length of presidential terms. They warn that tampering with these foundations would be akin to opening a political Pandora’s box. Although the presidency insists the goal is to modernize the state’s architecture rather than extend power, the Catholic hierarchy remains unconvinced, calling instead for the strict enforcement of existing laws.
This dispute transcends legal technicalities, holding immense symbolic power in a nation where over 40% of the population identifies as Catholic. The message from the bishops is being amplified through Sunday sermons in parishes across the country, indicating a grassroots mobilization that extends far beyond political circles in Kinshasa.
A major challenge for the administration of Félix Tshisekedi
Having secured a second term in December 2023, Félix Tshisekedi holds a strong majority in the National Assembly, making a constitutional revision technically feasible. However, the defiance of CENCO introduces a complex variable. The President must navigate the opposition of an institution with high moral authority, whose actions are closely watched by international partners in Washington, Paris, and Bruxelles.
Observers point out that this constitutional debate is unfolding while the République démocratique du Congo faces a severe security crisis in the east. The national army is currently engaged in heavy fighting against M23 rebels in Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu. Some suggest that launching a constitutional debate now could distract from urgent humanitarian and military priorities, while others view it as a strategy to centralize executive power amidst regional instability.
The coming months will reveal whether the government proceeds with its 2025 timeline or chooses to delay. As the Union sacrée coalition and civil society prepare to take their stands, the Catholic Church has made it clear that it will not be a passive observer in this struggle for the country’s institutional future.
