The Democratic Republic of the Congo is witnessing a high-stakes political standoff as the opposition coalition C64 doubles down on its demands against President Félix Tshisekedi’s constitutional reform push. In Kinshasa, coalition leaders have reiterated an ultimatum to the head of state, insisting he abandon any plans to amend the country’s foundational law outright. The confrontation escalates against a backdrop of already heightened security tensions in the eastern provinces.
United opposition stands firm against constitutional revision
The C64 alliance, uniting prominent opposition figures, has framed its resistance around the conviction that altering the Constitution would pave the way for institutional changes tailored to the incumbent administration. Their stance remains uncompromising: the president must publicly shelve the reform proposal or brace for widespread public mobilisation.
For the coalition, the 2006 Constitution—ratified by referendum after the post-conflict transition—represents an unshakable democratic milestone. Its leaders warn that tampering with clauses governing presidential term limits and their duration could destabilise the country’s fragile democratic balance. This perspective resonates with civil society groups and religious institutions, many of which have voiced concerns in recent months about the risks of rewriting the constitutional framework.
President Tshisekedi’s strategic gamble in Kinshasa
Re-elected in late 2023 for a second term, Félix Tshisekedi has argued since late 2024 that a revised Constitution would better align with the nation’s developmental and governance needs. The administration frames the current text as ill-suited for a vast country of over 100 million people. Critics, however, view the proposal as a calculated manoeuvre to bypass term limits and entrench the ruling coalition’s dominance.
The president has established a dedicated commission to explore constitutional amendments, a move opponents interpret as a predetermined trajectory rather than an open-ended consultation. For the C64 coalition, this is no mere technical exercise—it signals a pivotal political shift. The unfolding scenario echoes past episodes across Africa, where reforms marketed as modernising initiatives ultimately reshaped electoral timelines to serve incumbent interests.
Nation grapples with social unrest and escalating security threats
The constitutional debate unfolds amid severe regional instability. In the eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, a sweeping offensive by the M23 armed group—allegedly backed by foreign actors—has triggered a crisis of state authority. The fall of key cities like Goma and Bukavu in early 2025 has deepened public discontent and intensified calls for the government to prioritise territorial sovereignty over institutional tinkering.
Economically, the DRC remains a linchpin in global supply chains for cobalt and copper, critical minerals for the energy transition. Investors are closely monitoring political developments in Kinshasa, aware that prolonged institutional turmoil could undermine confidence in major mining contracts. Regional stakeholders, including Angola and South Africa, are also closely tracking the evolving confrontation.
The C64 coalition’s next move remains uncertain: will it escalate to mass street mobilisation or rely on political pressure alone? Past opposition-led protests have drawn uneven turnout, often met with heavy police presence. The coalition is now banking on broader alliances with civil society organisations and faith-based groups to sway the president’s agenda. Their goal remains unchanged: secure an explicit public retreat from the constitutional reform initiative.
