• Politics

In Lubumbashi, the Action des Patriotes pour l’Émergence du Congo (APEC) made a bold statement. During a packed gathering at the Gécamines stadium, the political movement led by Louis Watum Kabamba—represented by interim president Dominique Unyon Pewu—celebrated massive membership growth while firmly positioning itself on the nation’s most pressing issue: constitutional reform. The party views this reform as essential to addressing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s security and governance challenges.

The event unfolded in an electrifying atmosphere, marked by the national anthem and a sea of supporters donning the party’s colors. For APEC leaders, the overwhelming turnout underscored the movement’s deep roots in the copper-rich capital and the public’s support for the vision of their moral authority, Louis Watum Kabamba.

A high-level delegation from Kinshasa, led by interim national president Dominique Unyon Pewu, spearheaded the political rally. Beyond the celebratory aspect of new memberships, the party’s cadres seized the opportunity in Lubumbashi—the DRC’s second-largest city—to critically assess the country’s institutional framework. APEC argues that the DRC’s political, economic, and particularly security realities demand breaking taboos.

Speakers emphasized that no foundational text should remain static amid societal changes. Revisiting the constitution isn’t an attack on democracy but a natural evolution for any nation. Addressing the crowd, interim APEC president Dominique Unyon Pewu positioned the party—part of Félix Tshisekedi’s Sacred Union—as a key player in the constitutional reform debate, grounding his argument in national sovereignty:

“You know the issue of the hour in the Democratic Republic of Congo: the constitutional reform. Can we discuss this reform without APEC? We rely on Article 5 of the Constitution, which grants sovereignty to the Congolese people to decide on constitutional changes. If the people agree, who can stop us? This is why APEC, under the leadership of His Excellency Louis Watum Kabamba, stands and supports this reform,” he declared.

By successfully mobilizing a stadium full of supporters, Louis Watum Kabamba’s party didn’t just demonstrate its strength in the Grand Katanga region—it asserted itself as a pivotal voice in the national intellectual and political discourse. APEC is positioning itself as a driving force behind state modernization, advocating for institutions that better reflect the aspirations of the Congolese people.