DR Congo: Tensions mount over planned constitutional referendum

Lead

Political tension in the Democratic Republic of Congo centres on a proposed new constitution that the opposition says could allow President Félix Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond his current mandate. The main opposition coalition, C64, has suspended nationwide demonstrations initially scheduled for mid‑July, following mediation by the African Union and a separate announcement by the president of a national dialogue to ease the transition battle. The coalition, which takes its name from Article 64 of the constitution — the right of citizens to resist an unconstitutional seizure of power — has made clear that its suspension is only provisional; the protest will resume if the government attempts to enact a referendum law.

Coverage of Reporting

Articles from Africa News, AllAfrica and Deutsche Welle have focused on different aspects of the dispute. Two Africa News dispatch both noted the postponement, but one attributed it to African Union mediation—specifically the initiative of Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, the AU's current chair—while the other traced it to Tshisekedi’s announcement of a national dialogue. An AllAfrica report likewise presented the AU mediation as the reason, while another AllAfrica report emphasised the dialogue. Deutsche covered the same core facts but provided a more detailed assessment of how the constitutional reform could reset presidential term limits. Overall, the central claims—that a proposed constitution is being advanced, that the opposition calls it an unconstitutional power grab, and that the protests have been paused—are consistently reported. The precise reason for the deferral, however, remains a point of divergence: sources are split between AU mediation and the president’s peace offering.

Key Claims

• The opposition groups, organising under the C64 coalition, accuse President Tshisekedi of using a referendum to pave the way for a third presidential term. They describe the effort as a "constitutional coup" — a phrase quoted by Africa News.
• The C64 coalition postponed nationwide protests. According to an Africa News report as well as an AllAfrica report, this followed the mediation of the Burundian President Ndayishimiye in his capacity as the African Union’s current chair. A separate Africa News article and another AllAfrica article instead link the delay to Tshisekedi’s announcement of a national dialogue.
• Protests on June 12 turned violent, with security forces firing tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds. This was reported by Africa News and AllAfrica.
• In June, parliament adopted legislation establishing the legal framework for a referendum, and a measure that the opposition says would effectively remove presidential term limits was approved by the Senate — as reported by AllAfrica.
• On June 30, Tshisekedi announced that he would first send the bill to the constitutional court for review of its compatibility with the existing constitution. Critics, according to the same AllAfrica report, question the court’s independence.
• If the referendum goes forward, the reform could reset the presidential term-limit clock, meaning Tshisekedi’s previous terms would no longer count and he could seek re-election. This was emphasised in coverage by AllAfrica and Deutsche.
• The national dialogue will be led by religious organisations and must be convened before August 15, according to AllAfrica and an Africa News report. The opposition says it remains concerned about the proposed changes.

Perspectives

Government – President Tshisekedi: The president’s official actions — the decision to refer the bill to the constitutional court and the announcement of a religious, later, to the country — reflect a willingness to channel the dispute through legal and consultative processes, rather than advance the referendum unilaterally.

Opposition – C64 coalition: The opposition regards the constitutional move as a direct attempt to cancel the presidential term limit and extend Tshisekedi’s hold on power. It has demanded his resignation and continues to call the reform a "constitutional coup." Though it has bowed to the dialogue for now, the coalition has conditioned that postponement on the government’s not moving forward with the referendum, and has said it will return to protests if the province is enacted.