DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi is preparing to pass a law that could open the door to a third term in office by amending the constitution, a move that may spark street protests. Tshisekedi, 63, is set to complete his second and final five-year mandate in December 2028 under current rules.
Constitutional Reform Strategy
Tshisekedi and his supporters have spent months preparing public opinion for his continued stay in power. The president is using a method common among African leaders: reforming a constitution that his backers claim is "at odds with the expectations of the population." The initiative recently cleared an initial hurdle when a bill outlining a referendum on constitutional reform was adopted by parliament, dominated by the ruling bloc.
"I didn't seek a third term, but I am telling you this: if the people want me to have a third term, I will accept," Tshisekedi said at a rare press conference in Kinshasa. He added that any revision would be done through a referendum. One month later, the National Assembly adopted the referendum bill, followed by the Senate unanimously passing it last week. The bill now awaits Tshisekedi's signature.
"Without sufficient pressure, those in power have no intention of stopping their plan to change the constitution," said political analyst Ithiel Batumike of the Ebuteli think tank.
Opposition and Crackdown
An opposition rally in Kinshasa against the bill was suppressed earlier this month, coinciding with a deadly Ebola outbreak in the northeast. Several opposition figures were wounded in clashes with pro-government activists and police. Local human rights groups reported two deaths, while the UN human rights office condemned at least one death. The government acknowledged 25 injuries, including 15 police officers.
"Tshisekedi has betrayed the oath he took to respect and defend the constitution," said Martin Fayulu, runner-up in the 2018 presidential election and third in 2023, speaking to the Conference of Catholic Bishops. Opposition figure Delly Sesanga warned that "calling the current constitution into question amounts to calling into question peace and stability" in the DRC.
Drift Strategy and Historical Context
The weakened opposition has called for a new march on July 8 demanding Tshisekedi's resignation. Meanwhile, authorities argue that ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where Rwanda-backed M23 has seized key cities, prevents holding presidential polls. Postponing elections to cling to power—a strategy known as "drift"—has been used before in the DRC, Batumike noted. Former president Joseph Kabila attempted to stay beyond two terms by changing electoral law in 2015 but abandoned the plan after bloody crackdowns and international pressure. Tshisekedi, then in opposition, had spoken out against Kabila's bid.
