Protests Escalate in Kinshasa Over Constitutional Change Proposal

In Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, violent clashes erupted during a protest against a proposed constitutional change. Opponents believe this change could allow President Félix Tshisekedi to pursue a third term. The opposition coalition, C64, organized the protest, which the police dispersed using tear gas after confrontations occurred between demonstrators and pro-government supporters outside the Parliament.

The Democratic Republic of Congo faces multiple crises, including an Ebola outbreak and a long-standing conflict with M23 rebels backed by Rwanda. These rebels are one of more than 100 armed groups vying for control in the eastern provinces. Tshisekedi, aged 62, has been in office since 2019 and is due to complete his second five-year term in 2028. He has expressed willingness to seek a third term if voters approve it in a referendum. The Congolese Constitution prohibits any revision of presidential term limits. However, a bill under consideration in the National Assembly, the lower house, would allow the president to alter these provisions in case of a ‘major dysfunction’ that paralyzes state institutions, potentially after a referendum.

The country’s major opposition parties, previously divided, united in May under the C64, or Article 64 Coalition. They oppose what they describe as Tshisekedi’s attempt to stay in power, labeling the proposed changes a ‘grave threat’ to national stability. Friday’s protest led to clashes between opposition supporters and pro-government activists before the police intervened. Among the injured was Martin Fayulu, who came second in the 2018 presidential elections and is a prominent opposition figure in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A video on his official Facebook page showed Fayulu with visible blood around his eyes and on his white shirt collar as supporters helped him navigate through the crowd.