Congo president steps back amid opposition pressure over constitutional reform

In a tense political climate, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has taken a step back following mounting pressure from the opposition coalition known as the Article 64 Coalition (C64), which was established in May by key opposition political forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

On August 13, President Tshisekedi requested a new parliamentary review of the proposed law governing the organization of a referendum on constitutional reform—a project spearheaded by his party since 2024. Critics argue that the initiative could pave the way for him to seek a third term, despite the 2006 Constitution explicitly prohibiting such a move.

The coalition had set August 15 as a deadline to assess progress in ongoing political dialogue with the president. They called on the public to “mobilize and resist” if the controversial referendum proposal was not withdrawn from parliamentary consideration, as reported earlier this summer.

Opposition warns of escalating action

On August 12, in Kinshasa, Dieudonné Bolengetenge, Secretary General of Moïse Katumbi’s Ensemble pour la République party and spokesperson for C64, issued a stark warning. He stated that the coalition would no longer heed calls for restraint and would escalate protests if the president did not take decisive steps toward national dialogue.

The coalition’s demands come amid broader concerns from civil society. On August 10, 65 Congolese civil society organizations submitted a memorandum to President Tshisekedi and national institutions, urging him to abandon the referendum. In their appeal, they cautioned that the initiative could “worsen political tensions, deepen social divisions, and divert institutions from addressing the nation’s core priorities.”

A cautious concession

While President Tshisekedi’s decision to revisit the law has been met with some cautious optimism, the coalition remains firm in its stance. Prince Epenge, co-founder of C64, described the move as “a small step in the right direction.” However, he emphasized that the coalition would maintain its pressure until the referendum proposal is fully withdrawn.

Earlier efforts to organize a public march in Kinshasa on July 22 were postponed following appeals from the country’s Catholic and Protestant churches, which urged political actors to prioritize dialogue over confrontation.