DR Congo Enacts Law Paving Way for Constitutional Change

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, has enacted a law easing the requirements for changing the constitution, a move condemned by the opposition as an attempt by the president to cling to power.

The law was formalised through a presidential order read on state television late Tuesday into Wednesday.

Tshisekedi, 63, has led the country since 2019 and is constitutionally limited to two five-year terms. His current tenure is due to end in 2028.

Opposition parties have united in recent months to resist efforts to amend the constitution, arguing that the move could remove restrictions preventing the president from seeking a third term.

At a rare press conference in early May, Tshisekedi said he had not pursued another term but would accept one if the people wanted him to continue in office.

The opposition has described the proposed constitutional changes as a bid to undermine the country’s democratic system.

Protests against what opponents called a constitutional coup were held in Kinshasa and other cities in June and September.

However, opposition groups, weakened and divided following Tshisekedi’s decisive victory in the 2023 election, have struggled to mobilise large crowds. 

Several parties have recently joined a coalition known as C64 to coordinate their opposition.

The political dispute is unfolding as conflict continues in eastern DRC, where the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group captured large areas of territory last year.