The pulse of Kinshasa slowed to a near halt on Wednesday as the opposition’s nationwide shutdown took hold, though the government remains steadfast in pushing forward its constitutional reform agenda. Both sides are now claiming victory in what has become the latest high-stakes standoff in the capital.

With businesses shuttered and streets eerily quiet, the opposition contends the shutdown demonstrated overwhelming public opposition to President Félix Tshisekedi’s reforms, while the ruling camp insists daily life continued as usual.

Streets empty, security tight in Kinshasa

In many neighborhoods across Kinshasa, residents heeded opposition calls to stay indoors, leaving thoroughfares largely deserted. The heavy presence of security forces, combined with widespread unease, contributed to an atmosphere of tension and restraint.

“You don’t see kids going to school. There’s no traffic at all. Shops are closed. We oppose changing the Constitution. If we didn’t resist, we’d be forced to work. The people don’t want this,” shared a resident from the Ngiri-Ngiri district.

“It’s uncomfortable here. Soldiers and police are everywhere breaking up gatherings. No one can move freely—not cars, not motorcycles. It’s a bad situation. All the shops are shut,” added another local from Limete.

Opposition declares shutdown a resounding success

Following the protest, opposition leaders hailed the shutdown as a historic show of defiance, asserting that citizens overwhelmingly complied with their call to action. They vowed to escalate pressure on the government to abandon the constitutional changes.

Prince Epenge, spokesperson for the Lamuka coalition, framed the shutdown as a clear rejection of President Tshisekedi’s agenda.

“The people of Kinshasa answered the opposition’s call at a rate of 99.9%. By staying home, they sent a powerful message rejecting Mr. Félix Tshisekedi’s authoritarian attempt to rewrite the Constitution for personal gain. It’s time he listens,” he stated.

Ruling party rejects shutdown claims

Government-aligned officials dismissed opposition assertions, insisting the shutdown failed to disrupt daily life. Christian Lumu Lukusa, Vice President of the UDPS Youth League, accused opposition leaders of stoking fear and violence to justify their narrative.

“Despite scare tactics and calls for unrest, the population did not follow their lead. Kinshasa remains fully operational,” he declared.

Lumu Lukusa reaffirmed the ruling party’s commitment to pursuing constitutional reform, framing it as a necessary modernization of national institutions.

“The constitutional reform will move forward. It meets a national need and aligns with our goal to modernize our institutions,” he emphasized.

Referendum looms as next flashpoint

According to Lumu Lukusa, the proposed changes will be put to a national referendum—a move that follows the National Assembly’s adoption of a referendum bill on May 27. However, the opposition continues to denounce the initiative as unconstitutional, setting the stage for further political clashes in the coming weeks.