Drc government dismisses opposition protest despite mass stay-at-home strike
Kinshasa’s streets fell silent Wednesday afternoon as the capital’s daily hustle ground to a near halt following a nationwide strike called by opposition coalitions. The protest, orchestrated by the Article 64 Coalition, aimed to pressure President Félix Tshisekedi into abandoning his constitutional reform agenda. Yet, the government remains unyielding, insisting the reform will proceed as planned.
Both sides now claim victory. While opposition leaders celebrate what they describe as an overwhelming public response, government officials dismiss the strike’s impact and vow to push forward with the constitutional changes.
a capital frozen in place under heavy security
Residents in multiple neighborhoods of Kinshasa chose to stay indoors, fearing potential clashes and deterred by the heightened military and police presence. The city’s usual vibrant energy evaporated, replaced by an eerie stillness.
A local resident shared their observations: “I don’t see students heading to school. There’s no traffic at all. Schools are closed. We don’t want the Constitution changed. If we didn’t refuse, we’d all be forced to work. The people don’t want this.”
Another resident described the tense atmosphere: “It’s unsettling here. Soldiers and police are everywhere, dispersing anyone who tries to move around. There are no vehicles or motorcycles on the roads. The situation is dire—shops are shuttered.”
opposition hails historic turnout as government downplays impact
Opposition leaders framed Wednesday’s strike as a resounding success, claiming nearly all residents heeded their call. They now vow to escalate protests to derail the constitutional reform.
Prince Epenge, spokesperson for the Lamuka coalition, declared: “The people of Kinshasa responded at a rate of 99.9% to the opposition’s call. By staying home, they not only obeyed the coalition but also rejected President Félix Tshisekedi’s authoritarian push to alter the Constitution for personal gain. It’s time for Tshisekedi to acknowledge the people’s clear message.”
presidential camp insists reform will move forward
The government, however, rejects the opposition’s narrative. Christian Lumu Lukusa, Vice President of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) Youth League, argued that daily life in Kinshasa continued as usual. “Despite attempts by some opposition figures to incite violence, the people did not follow their orders. Kinshasa is fully operational,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the reform, framing it as a national necessity: “The constitutional reform will proceed because it serves a vital national interest and aligns with our goal of modernizing institutions.”
referendum looms as next battleground
Lukusa confirmed that the proposed reforms would be put to a referendum, following the National Assembly’s adoption of the referendum bill on May 27. The opposition, however, condemns this move as unconstitutional, setting the stage for further political clashes in the coming weeks.
