DRC constitutional battle over 2028 vote reshapes politics

August 25, 2026 at 05:34 AM2 min

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President Felix Tshisekedi's May remarks on accepting a third term have revived opposition fears over constitutional reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The dispute is unfolding as the DRC fights an M23-led rebellion in the east. An opposition coalition plans nationwide protests on September 15.

Key Facts

President Felix Tshisekedi is due to leave office in 2028 under the current constitution, which limits presidents to two five-year terms.
In May, Tshisekedi said he had not sought a third term but would accept one if the Congolese people wanted him to continue.
Parliament passed legislation in June setting conditions for a referendum, and the Constitutional Court ruled in July that the law complied with the constitution.
On August 10, Tshisekedi asked the presidents of the National Assembly and Senate to reconsider the legislation in light of the court's observations.
The opposition coalition C64 announced a nationwide mobilization for September 15, with demonstrations in Kinshasa expected to converge on the Palais du Peuple.

Constitutional Reform Dispute

Under the current constitution, the president is elected for five years, renewable once, and the number and length of presidential terms are protected from constitutional revision. Tshisekedi's camp says the country needs institutional reform, while opponents fear the process could be used to change the rules governing presidential succession. The government has presented constitutional reform as a broader institutional issue rather than an explicit bid to extend the president's tenure.

Referendum Legislation

The legislation provides for a constituent assembly followed by a referendum in the event of what it describes as a "major dysfunction" of state institutions. Critics say the mechanism could eventually be used to alter provisions that currently prevent Tshisekedi from seeking a third term. The National Assembly said the fresh deliberation would be placed on the agenda for its September session.

Opposition Mobilization

The main opposition group campaigning against the process is known as C64, or the Article 64 coalition, named after the constitutional article that calls on citizens to oppose anyone who takes power in violation of the constitutional order. C64 says it will resist any attempt to use constitutional reform to extend Tshisekedi's mandate beyond 2028. The coalition announced a nationwide mobilization for September 15, with demonstrations in Kinshasa expected to converge on the Palais du Peuple, the seat of parliament.