In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the opposition coalition known as C64 continues to challenge President Félix Tshisekedi’s push for constitutional amendments. Leaders of the coalition have reiterated their ultimatum, demanding the president abandon any efforts to revise the foundational law. The political standoff intensifies against a backdrop of heightened security challenges in the eastern regions of the country.
Unified Congolese opposition rejects constitutional changes
The C64 coalition, comprising prominent opposition figures, has firmly positioned itself against the proposed constitutional revisions. Its leaders argue that altering the Constitution would pave the way for institutional adjustments designed to benefit the ruling camp. Their stance remains unwavering: the president must publicly abandon the project or face widespread mobilization.
For the coalition, the 2006 Constitution—ratified by referendum following the post-conflict transition—is a non-negotiable democratic milestone. Members particularly warn against changes to clauses regulating presidential term limits and mandates. Their concerns align with those expressed by civil society groups and religious organizations, which have voiced skepticism toward any overhaul of the Constitution in recent months.
President Tshisekedi’s political maneuver in Kinshasa
Re-elected in December 2023 for a second term, Félix Tshisekedi has argued since late 2024 that a new Constitution is necessary to align with the demands of governance in a country of over 100 million people. The president’s team contends the current text is ill-suited to address the nation’s development needs. Critics, however, view this as a pretext to bypass term limits and extend the ruling coalition’s hold on power.
Tshisekedi has announced the formation of a commission to study the proposal, a move opponents interpret as a predetermined process. To the C64 coalition, this is not a technical debate but a critical political turning point. The situation echoes historical precedents across Africa, where constitutional revisions marketed as modernization efforts have led to electoral timeline manipulations.
Shifting focus amid security and social turmoil in the DRC
The constitutional debate unfolds amid escalating crises. In the eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, a major offensive by the M23 armed group—allegedly backed by external forces—has led to the fall of Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. This has weakened state authority and fueled domestic unrest. The opposition asserts that the government’s priorities should lie in restoring territorial sovereignty rather than institutional overhauls.
Economically, the DRC remains a vital supplier of cobalt and copper, essential for global energy transitions. Investors are closely monitoring political developments in Kinshasa, aware that prolonged institutional instability could jeopardize major mining agreements. Regional partners, including Angola and South Africa, are also watching the unfolding tensions.
The C64 coalition’s ultimatum could lead to coordinated street actions or escalate through purely political channels. Past opposition-led protests have seen uneven turnout, often constrained by heavy police presence. The coalition now seeks to broaden its alliance with civil society and religious leaders to influence the president’s agenda. Their goal remains securing an explicit abandonment of the constitutional revision project by the head of state.
