In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the C64 opposition coalition is intensifying its pressure against the proposed constitutional overhaul championed by the presidential camp. From Kinshasa, coalition leaders have reiterated their ultimatum to President Félix Tshisekedi, demanding the complete and unconditional withdrawal of any initiative to amend the nation’s fundamental law. This political standoff escalates against a backdrop of already heightened security concerns in the country’s eastern regions.

A united congolese opposition rejects constitutional revision

The C64 platform, which brings together several prominent figures from the Congolese opposition, coalesced specifically around its rejection of the constitutional revision promised by Félix Tshisekedi. Its leaders assert that tampering with the foundational text would pave the way for an institutional reconfiguration designed to consolidate the power of the incumbent administration. Their message to the President remains unequivocal: publicly abandon the project or face widespread public mobilization.

For the coalition, the 2006 Constitution, adopted via referendum following the post-conflict transition, represents a non-negotiable democratic achievement. Its members are particularly concerned about any alteration to provisions that safeguard the number and duration of presidential mandates. This perspective aligns with sentiments expressed by segments of civil society and various religious organizations, who have voiced reservations regarding any re-writing of the document in recent months.

President félix tshisekedi’s political strategy in Kinshasa

Re-elected in December 2023 for a second term, Félix Tshisekedi had, as early as autumn 2024, articulated the need for a new constitution, which he argued would be better suited to Congolese realities. The presidential argument emphasizes the supposed inadequacy of the current text in addressing the imperatives of development and governance for a continent-sized nation of over a hundred million inhabitants. Conversely, opponents denounce this as a pretext designed to bypass term limits and further entrench the ‘Union sacrée’ at the highest levels of state power.

The head of state announced the formation of a commission tasked with deliberating on the matter, a move perceived by his critics as the initial phase of a process whose outcome is already predetermined. For the opposition coalition, this is neither a technical debate nor an academic exercise, but a pivotal political moment. The current situation evokes precedents observed elsewhere on the continent, where revisions presented as modernizing efforts ultimately led to shifts in electoral calendars.

Social and security climate under strain in the dr Congo

The constitutional debate unfolds within a particularly challenging environment. In the eastern part of the country, the provinces of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu have been enduring a large-scale offensive by the M23 armed group since the beginning of the year, reportedly supported by external forces according to various expert assessments. The capture of Goma, followed by Bukavu in the first quarter, has undermined state authority and fueled internal dissent. The opposition maintains that the government’s priority should be the restoration of territorial sovereignty rather than institutional reform.

Economically, the DRC remains a strategic supplier for global cobalt and copper supply chains, materials vital for the energy transition. Investors are closely monitoring the evolving political climate in Kinshasa, keenly aware that any prolonged institutional crisis could impact the clarity and stability of major mining contracts. Regional partners, notably Angola and South Africa, are also observing the next stages of this political struggle with considerable attention.

It remains to be seen whether the C64’s ultimatum will translate into coordinated street actions or a purely political escalation. Previous calls for demonstrations by the opposition have resulted in varied levels of mobilization, often met by a deterrent police presence. The coalition is now banking on an expanded alliance with civil society and religious denominations to influence the presidential agenda. They intend to maintain pressure until an explicit renunciation from the head of state.