DRC opposition claims success in nationwide strike against constitutional reform
The constitutional reform battle in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has entered a judicial phase. On June 4, 2026, leaders of the Coalition Article 64 (C64) convened in Kinshasa to assess the impact of their nationwide ville morte (dead city) protest held the previous day. While authorities dismissed the mobilization as limited to the capital, opposition figures insist that major urban centers across the country adhered to the call, marking a significant test of their ability to influence the national agenda.
Broadening the opposition front against constitutional changes
The C64, formed to defend Article 64 of the Congolese constitution—which guarantees citizens the right to resist unconstitutional power grabs—has united prominent figures opposing the reform. Among them, opposition leader Delly Sesanga highlighted the mobilization in cities beyond Kinshasa, positioning the coalition as a key player in contesting President Félix Tshisekedi’s constitutional project. The opposition views the reform as a potential ploy to enable a third term for the president, who was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in late 2023. The current constitution limits presidential terms to two consecutive mandates, a democratic safeguard inherited from the post-Mobutu transition.
Legal action against Félix Tshisekedi: a strategic escalation
The coalition’s most significant move was announcing plans to file a lawsuit against the president and his allies, alleging an attempt to subvert the constitutional order. This serious legal accusation could draw in magistrates, the bar association, and civil society, shifting the contestation from the political to the judicial arena. While few expect immediate legal consequences for the sitting president, the move aims to set a clear boundary and force the majority to clarify its intentions regarding term limits and the scope of the reform.
For Delly Sesanga and his allies, the lawsuit serves a dual purpose: to establish a red line and to compel the government to publicly define the limits of the constitutional changes. By framing the issue in legal terms, the C64 seeks to create a new battleground where institutional norms and democratic principles take center stage.
Political tensions rise amid regional and domestic challenges
The DRC is navigating a delicate political moment. In the east, persistent insecurity linked to the M23 insurgency and diplomatic pressures tied to Rwanda have strained the government’s resources. Domestically, the constitutional reform debate has deepened divisions between Kinshasa and an opposition that, while fragmented, is regrouping around clear, unified demands. The C64 believes its straightforward messaging could help it gain broader support.
The effectiveness of the ville morte protest remains contested. Authorities downplayed its impact, while organizers claimed success beyond the capital. Without independent verification, evaluations remain subjective. The coalition’s ability to sustain pressure, rally additional political figures, and secure provincial backing will determine its influence in the ongoing power struggle with President Tshisekedi’s camp.
Regional observers note that the Congolese case reflects a broader continental trend, where debates over term limits—from recent events in Senegal to older controversies in West Africa—are reshaping the political lexicon and influencing governance expectations among international partners. The C64 has vowed to continue mobilizing while shifting its strategy to focus on legal avenues.
