Third term push sparks shutdown protests in Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, ground to a halt on June 3 as opposition groups and civil society activists called for a citywide shutdown to protest President Félix Tshisekédi’s push for constitutional changes that could clear the way for a third term. The demonstration, organized by the C 64 coalition, drew widespread participation—shops shuttered, streets emptied, and daily life came to a standstill in a rare display of unified opposition.
The constitutional revision hinges on the balance of power on the ground
While the city shutdown marked a significant show of force by opponents, it remains unclear whether it will sway the president. Tshisekédi, who has ruled out retirement after two terms, appears determined to push forward with constitutional amendments—even as critics warn he is exploiting a referendum process to legitimize his ambitions. History suggests such maneuvers rarely fail in the region; since the days of Gabon’s late Omar Bongo, African leaders have seldom lost elections they themselves design.
Undeterred, the government has mobilized its own support base. Religious leaders aligned with the president have announced plans for a counter-rally on June 5, framing their gathering as a show of loyalty to the head of state. The stage is set for a high-stakes confrontation: the constitutional amendment will advance if Tshisekédi’s coalition holds the upper hand, but it may collapse if opposition forces escalate their resistance. Such is the give-and-take of politics in Africa, where leaders often repeat the mistakes of predecessors while expecting different outcomes.
Ironically, Tshisekédi himself rose to prominence by opposing Joseph Kabila’s 2018 bid for a third term. Public mobilization forced Kabila to retreat—though not before installing a handpicked successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, who was subsequently trounced at the polls.
Prioritizing power over urgent crises
Despite looming threats, Tshisekédi’s focus remains fixed on extending his tenure rather than addressing the country’s deepening crises. Eastern DRC has slipped beyond Kinshasa’s control, Ebola continues to ravage communities, and socioeconomic instability deepens daily. Earlier this year, religious leaders urged the president to initiate inclusive national dialogue to resolve the nation’s woes—but no meaningful steps have been taken. Why the delay? Some speculate Tshisekédi believes his position is unassailable. Yet African political history is littered with leaders who overestimated their strength, only to face the consequences of their own miscalculations.
